In this episode, Whit and Casey discuss reverence, honor, and integrity in our relationship with God and others.
Malachi is the last prophetic voice before the coming of Christ, bridging the Old Testament and the New. The book was written after the temple had been rebuilt and after the ministries of prophets like Zechariah and Haggai. Malachi addresses a generation that was no longer living in the fervor of their ancestors who had returned from exile and rebuilt the temple. This was a generation that had perhaps begun to take things for granted.
For those who grew up in the comfort of the temple, the need for God might not have felt as urgent as it did for their parents or grandparents who experienced the pain of exile. This situation mirrors what many of us experience today, especially those who have grown up in the church.
When life is comfortable and stable, it becomes easy to lose the sense of desperation and need for God. Our approach to God can become casual, lacking the reverence He deserves. Without significant struggles or challenges, we might find ourselves asking, “What major issues do I really have?” We can easily creep into self-reliance and a dismissal attitude toward God.
Malachi emphasizes the importance of honoring God, but this theme of honor extends beyond our relationship with Him. Throughout Scripture, we see the importance of honoring authority and others, even when we might disagree with them.
The story of David and Saul is a prime example. Despite having the opportunity to kill Saul, David refrained because he respected the position Saul held, even though he completely disagreed with him.
Today, we live in a culture that often dismisses the need to honor others, especially if we deem them unworthy of honor or respect. This is especially evident in our political and social discourse, where dishonor is prevalent. But as followers of Jesus, we are called to be people of honor, even in a culture of dishonor.
Dishonor, as Malachi’s generation showed, leads to chaos and separation. It breaks down relationships, communities, and ultimately, our relationship with God. Disagreement does not have to equate to dishonor.
As Christians, we are to stand against evil, but we must do so in a way that honors God and others.
How can we expect to honor God well if we are dishonorable to those around us?
Malachi’s message was clear: the people were dishonoring God with their sacrifices by treating Him as common.
As His children, we can come boldly before God, but we must do so with reverence, recognizing that He does not orbit around our lives; we orbit around Him. Our experience of God is deeply connected to our approach to Him. Approaching Him with humility and a full recognition of who He is changes everything.
Dishonor paves the way for a lack of integrity. When we treat God with irreverence, it reveals a misunderstanding of His nature, and a misunderstanding of our own.
Recognizing our inadequacy before God is crucial for developing a reverent heart. This recognition influences every area of our lives.
Integrity is about consistency—how we treat the small things in life reflects how we treat the big things, including our relationship with God. To say one thing and do another is to live a disintegrated life, characterized by hypocrisy. It’s easy to point out the sins of others, especially those outside our community. But Malachi’s message urges us to first examine ourselves.
Malachi begins his message with a reminder of God’s love: “I have loved you,” says the Lord. This is where the gospel begins. We are loved and accepted by Christ—this truth is the foundation for everything else. Out of an overwhelming sense of God’s love, we are then called to obey.
Religion says, “Obey first, and then you will be accepted.” But the gospel flips this on its head saying, “You are accepted, now obey.”
As we reflect on Malachi’s message, let’s ask ourselves: Are there areas of my life that need examination? Am I treating God and others with the honor and reverence they deserve? Is there something I’m not fully giving to Him? These questions guide us as we seek to live lives marked by integrity, honor, and reverence, rooted in the overwhelming love of God.
Show Notes:
Listen to the message: Malachi: How to Have Christlike Honor In A Dishonoring World
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