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Let Christ be highly honored in my body, whether by life or by death. – Philippians 1:20

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As Christ followers, we are to show honor to all – men and God alike, but especially to Christ. Honor is to acknowledge and show respect and obedience to the statue of someone. Honor comes from the heart, it is not staged, and has no pretense. Christ is highly exalted because of the cross, and according to God’s will, every knee will bow.

Honor is a godly virtue and in nations where the people fail to respect and honor their leaders, it is a sign of ungodliness. God has put men and women at places of authority and we should give honor where honor is due. If a man or a woman has a seat of authority, it is not our job, as Christian, to judge them because of their fallen nature. It is for us to honor them, because of their place in the earthly kingdoms.

God is not pleased with rebellion. When Satan exalted himself from the place God hath put him, it was recorded as iniquity. Self-exaltation is not from God. Let God exalt us in due time.

Paul was a man of statue before he encountered Jesus. Once he did, his life turned for the worst – he lost all his privileges, his education no longer mattered, and even his Roman citizenship was questioned. Paul knew how to use power, but his past life became a past, and his new life had a different tone altogether. He became an outcast, leaving behind career, financial security, and perhaps a family. Many knew-born believers experience a similar consequences.

They are called out from places of comfort, security, and planned future, and thrown into the unknown, the mud, and sometimes in prisons. It is the price for following Jesus.

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