“My Father will honor the one who serves me.” John 12:26, ESV. Jesus promises that when we become the servant of Jesus then God will honor us one day. God originally made humans with honor and he wanted this honor to grow. He made us in his image and though it is broken he gave us a new self with a restored image of God. This is our true self and one day it will be fully developed. God rejoices when we display his image in our lives. So, like a good father, God will honor us for our faithfulness.
Scripture states in many places that God will honor us, usually by saying he will glorify us! (For example, Matt. 13:43; Rom. 8:17, 21; 2 Cor. 4:17; Col. 3:4; Phil. 3:21; 1 Pet. 5:10; 2 Pet. 1:3.) Originally, as image-bearers of God we were supposed to be fruitful and fill the earth. We would have been highly honored in this work. In the next age we will have responsibilities such as being God’s governors over parts of creation (Luke 19:11-27). We will shine like the sun (Matt. 13:43).
How encouraging is it that God is committed to honoring us even though all we have is from him? He honors our sacrifices, our surrenders, our love for others. No worldy honor can compare, which sets us free from needing worldy honor; instead we can be living out the Sermon on the Mount in our everyday life. One day the Father will demonstrate life up his children and reveal their dignity to all creation.
Think about all the honors you might receive in this life. How do they compare to receiving honor from God? Do you you ever remind yourself that God will honor us?
