Honoring God above all – Even our family and church.
By Russ Welch
Hophni and Phinehas were sons of Eli, the high priest, and were priests themselves. However, they were wicked. When Israelites came to offer sacrifices at the tabernacle, Hophni and Phinehas forcibly took the flesh of the sacrificial animals before the fat portions had been burned on the altar. They also took some of the flesh that the offerer was boiling for the sacrificial meal (1 Samuel 2:12–17). These were serious transgressions of God’s laws, equivalent to robbing God. Eli’s sons also committed the extremely serious sin of seducing women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle (1 Samuel 2:22).
When we read this story we see two main things that stand out:
#1 The son’s of Eli honored themselves and their position above the Lord.
#2. Eli honored his son’s above the Lord and His commands.
Some may read this and think “I am glad I am not like Eli or his son’s” But let us ask this question – Are we? What about when our children outwardly do that which is contrary to the teachings of the Lord. Do we respond with, well they just aren’t matured yet. Or they’ve had a rough life so give them some grace.
Do we honor the Lord and bring correct, holy discipline into their lives?
Or how about, well they’ve been hurt by the church. All these things are honoring them and their actions above that which the Lord declares, we offer up justification prayers rather than Holy prayers asking our Father in Heaven to have His will invade their lives regardless of the cost. Otherwise we are honoring our children or possibly a family member above the Lord.
In reality Eli and his son’s honored their own desire and even their positions in ministry above the Lord God!
We must as well ask the question in regard to the church we attend or shepherd – Do we see things that are contrary to the Will of the Father yet we justify them because we love them so much? Guess what – In reality we are honoring the church above the Lord.
We go on to read in this Biblical account of how because of Eli’s refusal to deal with this situation according to the will of the Lord, the Lord brings Samuel into the picture, a man who honored the Lord above all. Has the Lord brought a Samuel into your life?
I see how many today will honor a church or a shepherd or even their own ministry position above the Lord. I myself have been guilty of this very thing and the Lord has had to correct me as well as rebuke on this. Even in regard to my own understanding of the church – Holy Ghost has brought conviction into my life.
Now, there are churches and ministries today that do honor the Lord, who teach His Word in purity and truth.
As well, there are many churches and ministries out there that are doing things that simply do not weigh up to what the Lord desires and so many will put the church and their doctrines above the Lord’s Word.
In America we have a multitude of churches to choose from, some may appear to be vacant of what we personally are looking for, and they may not have the worship style that we believe should be heard in this day.
They may have pews or stain glassed window. While others have the type worship that sends thrill up our spine, they may have comfortable chairs and all the modern technological gadgets.
Maybe their speaker is very charismatic in his delivery of the message whereas the other churches pastor is often times dry. The question is – which church is holding to the doctrines of Christ, teaching God’s Word with reverence and in purity, whereas the other church steps outside the bounds of holiness and is more into performance than truth, a center for entertainment and feeding selfish ambitions, watering down the Word because its about the numbers and the applause of men..
Do we choose a church because we want our children entertained or do we want them taught the Word of God?
Do we want to part of the in group or do we want to part of remnant?
Many today chose a church based on its popularity, in such a case very few would be attending the church that Jesus would be shepherding or that of the apostle Paul if they were to start a church in our City for theirs would surely not be a message that made everyone feel good, in fact theirs would be one that would bring conviction and challenge each of us up to a higher level of honoring the Lord God. It surely wouldn’t allow the detestable life styles to continue that many do because of the leaders fears of losing financial support.
I can guarantee divorce would not be dealt with the way it is in today’s modern church – You surely wouldn’t having leaders prophesying to a man who is set divorced that God is bring him a new wife!
Does our life style, choice of profession, the house and neighborhood we have chosen to live in, school our children attend, cars we drive really honor the Lord, or do these things honor our own desires above the Will of God for our lives?
Here is a tough question – Do we honor the Lord in the way that treat our parents – or because they are an inconvenience do we stick them in an old folks home so that we can live our lives with greater freedom and ease?
What does the Word of God command of us:
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything to the glory of God”. (1 Cor 10:31)
Wow, this verse is all inclusive to every area of our lives for it states in big bold letters “Whatever you do”
Do we honor the Lord above all in the matters of family affairs, the way we treat and discipline our children, our wives and even our neighbors leave alone the strangers and those we work with.
Do we honor the Lord in our business practices or do we cheat people to get ahead in the game of life – In reality to the Lord, for to Him our life is anything but a game.
Colossians 3:17 declares “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him”.
1 Peter 4:11 declares “If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen”.
So the question today brothers and sisters is – Do we really honor the Lord above all. Are our lives so radically sold out to Him that nothing even comes close too or can compare with our hearts desire to Honor God above all.
If not, are we radical enough to ask Holy Ghost to come into our lives, point out everything that does not honor the Lord, every idol that is set up above the Lord and take it to the alter of the Lord that His Holy Fire can consume it.
For we must remember that we serve a Radical King, who is radically in love with us and will stop at nothing until He gets our whole heart and life. For indeed we serve a righteous and Holy God who calls His children to come out from amongst the heathen, to be separated from the ways of the World and to Honor Him above any and everything else.
Are you up for the challenge – If so invite Holy Ghost into the most private area of your life today – the very center of your hearts desire and ask Him to bring forth the Will of God into your life not matter the cost!!!!!
For His Word shouts out at us “”The Lord says, Those who honor Me I will honor.”–1 Sam. 2:30
Radical Disciples - A Remnant Revolution 