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On October 11, 2004, God ministered greatly to me in my communion time
with Him as He emphasized "honor" in reference to communion in First
Corinthians Chapter 11. My spirit became ignited, and I began a journey to
understand more of this honor of which God speaks throughout His Word.
Saints, God has called His people to be champions of honor!
Champions of honor are
people whose thoughts, speaking, and actions are aligned with God 24/7.
It is only as we give honor and glory to God, as we respect and
honor others, and as we conduct ourselves honorably that we become a
champion of honor. As we live this, the light of God fills our lives and
shines radiantly into the darkness of this world.
We are champions of honor because
we are created in the image of God. As Hebrews 2:6-7 describes for
us, "But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou
art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? Thou madest
him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and
honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands...." We are crowned
with glory and honor.
Our becoming a champion of honor begins with our
accurate assessment of our value in Christ. What you think about yourself
is the estimate of value you put upon yourself, and determines what you
will achieve. If you set a low value upon yourself, the standard you
attain will be low. You are really setting a low value on Christ, because
as Paul declares to every born again believer, like him, we are now,
"...crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the
faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me" (Galatians
2:20).
It is true that the Bible warns us not to think of
ourselves more highly than we ought, but this is written in the context of
valuing other members in the body of Christ as much and more than
ourselves. It is an admonition which brings balance and raises a guard
against fleshly pride. It does not mean we are not to value ourselves! Our
value is inestimable in Christ, the price paid for our value was the
precious blood of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Please estimate your
value in Christ and the value of others as very high!
Champions of honor regard &
treat every person with respect. In First Corinthians 11:28-29 we
are instructed, "But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that
bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily,
eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body."
If we do not discern the body of our Lord Jesus Christ, we eat and drink
unworthily. The word "discern" is translated in some places as "respect."
My grandfather would never tolerate ill being spoken of any
individual, no matter how evil they were "known" to be, because he had
great respect for each individual based upon the fact that every
individual is made in the image of God. He would always counteract any
accusation or whatever might be spoken about someone that was negative by
speaking respect to bring the level of honor of that individual up.
I watched a marvelous video called "Men of Honor." You will need to keep
your mute button close by because some of the language is rough.
Nevertheless, I found myself to be captivated by the true life story of
Carl Brashear, the first African-American ever to become a Navy Master
Diver in the United States Navy.
The movie represented that day in which the military
limited the role of the African-American race to one of menial servitude
with no hope for advancement. The young man distinguished himself
continually by such honorable conduct in the face of every challenge, that
his life was set upon a champion course with champion results.
The
course was so difficult it seemed beyond human endurance. In those times
of difficulty, he would recall his father's parting words to him. First,
his father told him, "Don't you ever come back to this farm and live as I
have behind this plough, working the land and never getting ahead. Don't
you become like me." Then he said something that is outstanding to me. He
said, "Be the best!" Notice he did not say, "Do your best," but "be the
best." Be the best!
Champions of honor will
always have someone to whom they desire to bring honor in a great and
marvelous way. The life of this Carl Brashear beautifully
demonstrated this principle! When we, as Christians, seek to be the best
in order to bring honor to our heavenly Father, just as the young man in
Men of Honor brought honor to his earthly father, we are propelled over
the most formidable obstacles.
We are going to be the best as ambassadors of Jesus
Christ in order to bring honor to His Name upon the earth as God's
champions of honor. Let that ring through your mind, your heart, and your
spirit! A champion of honor responds to the high calling of God in Christ
Jesus to reflect God to the world ~ yet our nobility comes from Whose we
are, rather than who we are. It is not in trying to lift ourselves up as
honorable that honor comes, for honor comes from God alone. A person who
honors God will be honored by God as John 8:54 shows us. "Jesus answered,
If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth
me; of whom ye say, that he is your God...."
We, as Christians, reflect Christ and affect this world
because we are looking unto Jesus, Who is the Light source. We are
"derived" light. "Derived" simply means we are not the source of the
light, but reflectors of the Light of the world, Jesus Christ. John 8:12
says, "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the
world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the
light of life." In Matthew 5:14 Jesus says, "Ye are the light of the
world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid." People come to the
light! Isaiah 60:3 declares, "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the
glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall
cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise
upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall
come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising."
They are not coming to you, they are coming to the
Light, to Jesus Christ! The more we lift up and honor Jesus, the more
light we reflect to attract people to God. Champions of honor make much of
God and are filled with His light. When we make more of the light ~
darkness dissipates! God is the light of hope and our salvation Who
dispels all darkness, gloom, despair, and depression and desperation.
Champions of honor fight
the darkness by walking in the light. Jesus is our ultimate
example. When John the Baptist was beheaded, Jesus did not respond by
"warring in prayer," nor did He attack the perpetrators and tell them how
wrong they were. He simply went forth and preached the Good News of the
Gospel ~ shining the light of God brightly. Every time Jesus did good He
was counter-attacking evil. The Bible explicitly tells us in Romans 12:21,
"Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." We derive more
light as we make much of and honor Jesus!
Champions of honor plan
according to the pattern received upon the mount of God. Champions
of honor will conduct life pivoted upon and motivated by decisions made
according to what is heard while up in the high realm of the Spirit ~ upon
the mount of God (see Acts 7:44). You do not make decisions and plans and
patterns in the low times, in the times of valleys, the times of
depression, and so forth. When we come down from the high realm of the
Spirit, the enemy tries to wrest those things God has shown us away from
us. God-given visions, dreams and plans are possible because He gave them
to you, and God does the impossible!
Champions of honor are focused
individuals with a call, a purpose, & an understanding as to what it takes
to
make that dream come true. We must be motivated in the dream of the
Lord for our lives. God tells us to remember not the former things, but
that He will do a new thing now to make us a people worthy of His praise,
to show forth His honor to the world. The goal must be clear, and one's
energy is put forth towards that goal. You do not live a scattered "here
and there and everywhere" life. Keep your focus to get that one thing
accomplished in your life. You cannot be and do it all, constantly
juggling many things. You must make up your mind with a firm decision to
pursue a single focus.
Champions of honor have the
fruit of self-control in operation. As you follow God, walking
steadfastly to defeat any hindering obstacle, God will do what you cannot
do. One who has no control over self is like a city with broken down
walls, and we are not conducting ourselves without self control, but in an
honorable manner. Respect and honor people, and do not try to control
people, places, and things. Only concentrate on yielding to Holy Ghost
control over yourself.
Champions of honor do not
quit! To be the best, we cannot quit. It matters not what
others think, or do, or say of you, for you are not going to quit! Leave
them with their thoughts! Be pure in your mind, in your heart, and in your
conduct. Isaiah 45:22 tells us that if we will look only at the Lord Jesus
Christ, we will be saved, which includes more than one's initial salvation
experience. Salvation includes living your life from day to day in the
saving power of Almighty God in the midst of all circumstances. You have
not ultimately been appointed by a people, but you are assigned and
appointed by God.
Champions of honor have
integrity. Isaiah 11:5 describes how we derive influence, strength,
the power and the authority of God as we conduct ourselves honorably,
which means with righteousness and integrity, having sincere faith. At the
crossroads of a decision of great import to me, I asked the Lord, "What is
the one thing I need to look for in the person this has to do with making
this decision?" He said one word to me, "Integrity." Decide now to scale
over mountains of opposition by the grace, the wisdom, the strength, and
the help of Almighty God.
Champions of honor are obedient
to God. You develop honor by building it into your character
through every decision of every moment of your life, aligning all with
Christ. You cannot get this through the laying on of hands.
In the case of my crossroads decision, the person made their decision,
which simply resolved mine for me. Self-seeking, pettiness, problems, and
life's dramas will overtake us if we let them. Honor is superior to pain,
discomfort, and work. Whatever you are suffering, you have a purpose and
therefore a strong determination. Obedience to God develops honor.
Champions of honor think
like champions. Colossians 3:1-3 says, "You have been raised to
life with Christ, so set your hearts on the things that are in heaven,
where Christ sits on his throne at the right side of God. Keep your minds
fixed on things there, not on things here on earth. For you have died, and
your life is hidden with Christ in God" (Today's English Version). Our
thinking must be in divine order according to Philippians 4:8. Our
thinking becomes our words, and our words become our actions that so
greatly influence the outcome for good or for evil.
Champions of honor are
people whose goals are greater than any personal momentary conflict.
Champions of honor do not ultimately take sides with people or
situations, but they side with Christ every time by making decisions that
honor God and allow God to work out the rest. We have patience with people
and patience with what is going on because there is a greater goal, a
higher focus for our lives.
Champions of honor
prepare so as to be fit for the Master's use as a vessel of honor.
One who is concerned with honoring God does not trade the end
result and goal for a moment of pleasure. "Let every one that nameth the
name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not
only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and
some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself
from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the
master's use, and prepared unto every good work" (2 Timothy 2:19-21).
Champions of honor have a
servant's heart. In John 12:26b Jesus says "...if any man serve me,
him will my Father honour." Jesus Christ is still serving us today,
sitting at the right hand of God ever making intercession for us ~ a
priest to God and man. When Jesus went to the cross, He laid down His
life, saying in effect, "I am willing to give My life that you may have
life." God's creation may be redeemed to Him. So we are called upon as His
disciples to serve God.
Champions of honor serve God and
serve their generation according to the will of the Father. We are
on God's mount of transfiguration. You can stay on the mount even while
walking through a valley. It begins in your mind. Set you mind on things
above ~ where you look will determine your walk. What you attend to will
frame your life. Champions of honor look up to God.
God says to remember the good things He has done for us in the past and He
will do it again. The psalmist says of the Lord, "He has set my feet in a
large place..." which is a place of deliverance, a place where there is
ample space for free and unobstructed movement. As you run into obstacles,
if you have a goal and a purpose, you will not allow the obstacle to
defeat you.
You are crowned with glory and honor by God as you honor God.
Therefore, be a person of honor. Be a champion for God's honor in this
earth, and the inward value and working of God within you will be awesome,
saints. Live in the light. Live honorably. Honor God. Honor God's people.
Be the best for the honor of Jesus' Name!
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