“I know why I am here and my only real focused goal is to…try and honor God.”
Ken Hensley
The 2015 Scripture verse I’ve been meditating on is John 7:18: “He who speaks on his own does so to gain honor for himself, but he who works for the honor of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him.” Other translations substitutes the word glory for honor. To honor means “to revere, respect, to treat with deference and submission.” The question I’m constantly asking myself is What does it look like to honor God and others?
The Word of God gives insight in how to honor the Lord in every area of our lives. In order to honor God we need to trust Him. (Numbers 20:12) We honor Him by being kind to the needy. (Proverbs 14:31) Giving tithes and offerings as well as being good stewards of our money are ways to honor God with our wealth. (Proverbs 3:9)
We can glorify God with our lips. (Isaiah 29:13) I honor God when I don’t swear or take His name in vain. Speaking words of thanksgiving instead of coarse jesting or foolish talk, gives God honor. (Ephesians 5:4)
I Corinthians 6:20 speaks of honoring God with our body. Does what I eat or drink glorify God? Am I keeping myself physically and mentally pure? What are my eyes watching or reading and what are my ears listening to? Am I sleeping and exercising enough to take good care of the physical body He’s given to me?
Romans 12:10 instructs us “to honor one another above yourselves.” Humility and preferring others’ desires over your own is one way to honor people. Bragging about your spouse instead of your latest accomplishment is another.
I honor God in my will or the choices I make by submitting to His Lordship and the authorities He has placed over me, such as my spouse, employers, teachers, pastors and parents. When I choose to obey whatever God is asking me to do and spend time in His Word, I honor God. Living a moral life by following the Ten Commandments in my thoughts, words and deeds glorifies God.
I want to lift up God’s name by the way I live. My desire is to honor God and others in such a way that people know without a doubt I “work for the honor of the One who sent me.” When my life honors God then I know He will fulfill His promise in I Samuel 2:30. “Those who honor Me I will honor.”
“We do not segment our lives, giving some time to God, some to our business or schooling, while keeping parts to ourselves. The idea is to live all of our lives in the presence of God, under the authority of God, and for the honor and glory of God. That is what the Christian life is all about.”
R. C. Sproul
Relevant Reflection:
How can you specifically honor God with your speech, body, wealth and actions?