Dwight Fletcher | How honour transforms a nation

HAPPY EMANCIPENDENCE Sunday! We started a new series last week that uncovers one of the most powerful, divine, life-giving principles of the Kingdom of God – honour. It seems perfect that we would discuss a topic like this in a week when many of us are celebrating our nation and how far we have come, especially since this week is also a time to consider where we want our nation to go. What kind of people do we want to be? What environment do we want our children and grandchildren to experience in this land?

Might I suggest that we consider honour as a way to take our nation to the next level? The truth is, wherever honour is practised, life comes, God’s best is experienced, and His favour is produced. Whenever it is instituted into any relationship, whether marriages, friendships, with authority and even in business, those relationships flourish and God’s blessing is realised.

LONG LIFE

This is all over scripture. Let me give you an example, Ephesians 6:2-3 NIV states, “‘Honour your father and mother’– which is the first commandment with a promise – ‘so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.’”

God is saying that you can set yourself up for His best and for a flourishing life just by honouring your father and mother. And this doesn’t just apply to parents, but all persons.

1 Peter 2:17a NKJV says, “Honour all people.” This is a commandment, not a suggestion and it is because God knows the blessings and open doors that await those who make honour a defining character trait.

Last week, we spoke about honour being the gateway to blessing. The people of Jesus’ hometown undervalued Him because of His history and their familiarity and because of that, they missed out on the miracles, signs and wonders that Jesus had been doing in every other town. On the other hand, the woman with the issue of blood and Jairus honoured Jesus for who He was, and they received instant miracles (Mark 5 & 6).

But it is not only in spiritual things that honour opens doors. I was speaking to a human resource manager who was interviewing people for an open position. One candidate came in and showed honour to everyone. He said good morning to anyone who passed by, he was respectful to everyone, not just the interviewers and he showed humility. She said, without one interview question being answered, the door was already open for him to get that job. It’s no secret: walk with a spirit of honour and doors open for you. On the other hand, opportunities can pass you by and doors close for you because you don’t walk with a spirit of honour.

HONOUR IS A FORM OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

This principle of honour is not only for individuals, but for nations. Proverbs 14:34 tells us, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” Honour is a form of righteousness. When we honour God, honour each other, and honour the roles and responsibilities in our society, we set ourselves up for elevation, both personally and nationally.

Honour is not just outward politeness or a smile, but an inward posture of valuing others because they are made in the image of God. Honour says, “I may not agree with you, but I will treat you with dignity because you are God’s creation.” Imagine if our parliament, schools, homes and streets were places where honour was the norm. If the way we speak to one another, the way we drive, the way we work, all reflect Kingdom culture, our nation would be a more peaceful, uplifting land.

As Psalm 33:12 declares, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.” And where the Lord is honoured, His blessing is never far behind.

Happy Emancipendence. Let us walk in honour, and watch our nation be transformed.