Honor

The second thing that all men want. All men want to be respected and admired, at least to an extent. All men want to be thought of as men of honor, even if its just a front to hide what they are doing behind the scenes. Honor is something men will spend their lives for, but it's something we cannot keep, nor are we worthy to receive.

Let's look at the example of Jesus in Philippians 2.9-11, "For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Jesus is exalted and it is for the purpose of glorifying God the Father. After everything Jesus endured He is exalted to the place of honor and glory, and He immediately returns the honor and glory given to Him to the Father. Jesus Himself gives glory to God the Father. And we are to become like Christ.

Honor comes from living for something greater than yourself. A solider receives honor for serving his country. As a man of God our honor comes from serving the King. God must be honored and glorified. He must be worshiped. His holiness demands worship, not in as a dictator demands loyalty, but simply because of how great His holiness is, He must be worship. 1 Chronicles 29.11-13 declares, "Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O Lord, and You exalt Yourself as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone. Now therefore, our God, we thank You, and praise Your glorious name."

Philippians 2 tells us that one day every tongue will give praise to God one day. Every knee will bow in respect and worship to Him. But the Bible tells of the honor God gives to those who choose to worship Him now. 2 Timothy 4.7-8, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing." God bestows on the faithful a crown of honor. In Romans 8 we are told that we will be glorified with Christ.

But Proverbs 15.33 tells us, "The fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom, and before honor comes humility." To receive real honor that no one can tarnish or take away, we must first humble ourselves before God in worship to Him. And as we worship the King we receive life, and with life comes honor and glory. And with these comes the privilege to be able to serve and honor God for all eternity. Honor comes in living for something, in serving something greater than yourself.

Honor is not found in success or the praise of man, but in the humble worship offered to the Father.

Psalm 62.5-8, "My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be shaken. On God my salvation and my glory rest; the rock of my strength, my refuge is in God. Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us."

Philippians 4.8, "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor