How to Give Honor

What is honor?

Honor is recognition of worthiness. I honor someone by upholding his value and worth. I honor my wife as much as I live in an appreciative and glad way.

It's enjoyment that culminates in some appropriate act. For example, my wife is a wonderful friend and powerful help to me. Giving her honor means that on my insides I perceive her value and reflect that in thoughts and then get her flowers, or buy her dinner. You get the idea. That is how honor works and is given.

Now...

And we pray that God, by his power, will fulfill all your good intentions and faithful deeds. Then everyone will give honor to the name of our Lord Jesus because of you, and you will be honored along with him.

This is an interesting line out of 2 Thessalonians. Paul prays that God would do our goals and plans for us so that Jesus will be honored. Isn't that great?

You have big plans...maybe just intentions at the outset. I intend to do a good job today at work. I intend to love my friends. I intend to call my brothers and sister regularly...for example.

Then, GOD makes it happen FOR you! He does it...at least if someone's praying. :)

Let it sink in. God doing your dream actually causes people to honor Jesus when they look at the result. Their inside world is affected and they do some appropriate action to show it.

As if God doing your dream wasn't enough. You receive honor with Jesus. People look at you-probably the ones you intended or planned to help and they feel toward you something that moves them to respect and honor you. Wow!

All this has nothing to do with your earning it. You didn't pay the price to get someone's honor or even to do your goal. God did it.

This is the kind of God we have...He gets honor by honoring his people. We're humbled and lifted up all in one shot.