Mensa Otabil - Honour Your Parents
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As we seek God’s blessings upon our lives, it’s important for us to do what God has called us to do because God tells us to do something, and based on that, He gives us the results, the blessings that will follow our obedience. Today, we’re talking about honoring your parents.
Ephesians chapter 6, verses 2 and 3: «Honor your father and mother,» which is the first commandment with promise, «that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.» Honor your parents, your father and mother. God gives us parents who give birth to us biologically but also instill godly character. Although not all parents imbue the right character in their children, and sometimes the people who physically give birth to us are not the ones who raised us. Sometimes, they are not even the ones who provide us the best opportunities in life or teach us about God. Ideally, that is how it should be, but sometimes it is not.
When we talk about honoring a father and a mother, it goes beyond your biological parents to encompass those who have birthed good character in you, those who have invested in your life, and those who have blessed you. It also includes people who are older than you-your elders. We live in a world where people think that because of freedom of speech and because everybody has access to express what they feel, there is no room for honor. What people forget is that everybody grows.
So, whom you dishonor today may grow one day, and people may do the same thing to you. It is important, even when we disagree with others, to honor them-not to shame them, not to disgrace them, not to downplay them, and not to belittle them. You can be strong and firm; you can express your opinion without dishonoring anybody, especially an elder. The scripture says, «Honor your father and mother,» and this is the first commandment with a blessing.
In the commandments of God, this comes with a clear blessing so that it will be well with you and you will live long on the earth. When people have invested in our lives, when they have become our examples, our role models, or our parents, and they have truly taken care of us, we can’t simply say, «Oh, they just did it for God; God used them; it doesn’t matter.» No, we have to pause and honor them. That’s what God says: we must honor those who have had oversight over us-your biological parents, other parental figures, or people who have significantly impacted your life, even those who may not have invested in your life but are older than you. Honor them.
If you want to live long this year and if you want God to bless you this year, you have to learn to honor people. Do it well; pay attention, be intentional about it, and honor them. Don’t forget those people whom God has used to bless you. God says if you do that, it will be well with you, which means things will turn out right for you. You may go into 2022, working hard, and all of a sudden, things are going well for you, and you wonder why-it’s because you’re obeying God by honoring those who have oversight over you: your father and your mother.
So, He says it will be well with you, and then He says you will live long. You’ll be protected, you’ll be saved; God will give you long life. This is God’s promise to those who honor those who have invested in their lives. This year, one of the commitments I want you to make is the commitment to honor. It could be your biological parents, your spiritual parents, or those who have oversight over you. Sometimes it’s even your boss or someone who has invested in your life. Honor them. Don’t forget them. Don’t disregard those who have invested in your life, and do not dishonor them. You can disagree without being dishonorable. Honor your father and mother so that it will be well with you. The opposite of that is, if you don’t honor your father and mother, it will not be well with you. May it be well with you this year in Jesus' name.
Let us pray. Say with me: Heavenly Father, You are the source of my life. Bless and prosper those who have invested in my life. In Jesus' name, amen and amen. Well, I’ll catch you again tomorrow. I’m Pastor Mensa Otabil. Shalom, peace, and life to you.