Honoring Legacy

CELEBRATE AGAIN!
Terry R. Baughman

“For the commandment, ‘Honor your father and your mother,' was the first of the Ten Commandments with a promise attached: ‘You will prosper and live a long, full life if you honor your parents’” (Ephesians 6:2-3 TPT).

Among the Ten Commandments is one which seems like it should be observed without being listed, “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you” (Exodus 20:12 NKJ). Respect for parents is something that should be easily understood. These are the people who gave us life and brought us into this world. They cared for us when we were unable to fend for ourselves, and gave guidance for life as we grew older. 

Not everyone has the privilege of kind, loving parents, but most everyone has someone who has filled that role in their life, whether it be another relative, a grandparent, a foster parent, or guardian. Honor is something that should be given to anyone who helps us achieve success in our lives. 

Along with the commandment to “Honor your father and your mother,” there is an additional statement in the same sentence, “that your days may be long….” The Apostle Paul stated that this was the first of the Ten Commandments with a resulting promise. Full life and success was embedded as a promised outcome of following this guidance. 

Honor is something that is taught by example. As a father, we teach humility by honoring others above ourselves. We teach honor by treating others with respect and giving words of affirmation and appreciation. The blessing comes when those we are mentoring begin to show us the same honor, respect, and appreciation that we have shown to others. A long and prosperous life can also be anticipated as we follow this sage advice, by honoring our legacy!  


Theme passage:
“For God has given us these seasons of joy, days … decreed for us to celebrate and rejoice” (Psalm 81:4 TPT).