What does honoring the Son reveal about our relationship with the Father? Honoring the Son Equals Honoring the Father “that all may honor the Son as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.” Jesus speaks plainly: the measure of our honor toward Him is the measure of our honor toward the Father. The two cannot be separated or ranked. What Honoring the Son Reveals • True acknowledgment of the Father’s nature – By honoring Jesus, we embrace the Father’s revelation of Himself (John 1:18). • Acceptance of divine authority – Jesus carries the Father’s commission; to respect the envoy is to respect the Sender (John 20:21). • Heart alignment with God’s will – The Father’s pleasure rests on the Son (Matthew 17:5); honoring the Son places us in harmony with that pleasure. • Evidence of authentic faith – “No one who denies the Son can have the Father; whoever confesses the Son has the Father as well” (1 John 2:23). • Participation in eternal life – Faith that honors the Son is the pathway to life (John 5:24). Supporting Witnesses from Scripture • John 1:14–18 — The Father makes Himself known through the incarnate Word. • John 14:6–9 — Seeing and knowing Jesus is seeing and knowing the Father. • Colossians 1:15–17 — The Son is “the image of the invisible God.” • Hebrews 1:3 — “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature.” These passages reinforce that honoring Jesus is inseparable from honoring the Father because the Son perfectly embodies and communicates the Father’s essence. Practical Outcomes • Worship: Direct praise to Jesus is rightful worship of God. • Obedience: Following the Son’s commands expresses loyalty to the Father’s authority (John 15:10). • Witness: Testifying about Christ honors the Sender before a watching world (John 17:18). • Fellowship: Communion with the Son sustains communion with the Father (1 John 1:3). • Assurance: Confidence in salvation rests on relationship with both Father and Son (John 10:28–30). Conclusion Honoring Jesus is not an optional add-on to faith in God; it is the very litmus test of our relationship with the Father. To elevate, trust, and obey the Son is to stand in right fellowship with the One who sent Him, experiencing the fullness of divine life and love. |
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