PRAISE, HONOR, AND GLORY

" That your . . . faith . . . might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ."  (1 Peter 1:6b)

These three things–"praise, honor, and glory"–are to be experienced by the saints. These do not refer to our activity, as in praising the Lord, honoring Him, and  giving Him glory–although we will surely do all of that. These refer to God's exceeding great reward to believers. As far back as 1 Samuel 2:20, God said, "for them that honor Me I will honor," and there is no greater way to honor God than by a robust faith. God's honor involves the Divine and public assessment, "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matt 25:21). Such "honor" is to be sought by men, as indicated in the words of our Lord: "How can ye believe, which receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that cometh from God only?" (John 5:44).  Jesus promised, "if any man serve me, him will my Father honor" (John 12:26). The spirit spoke of eternal life being given to those who "seek for glory and honor and immortality" (Rom 2:7). The people of God are distinguished from the children of men, among other things, by being destined to receive "praise from God" (Rom 2:29; 1 Cor 4:5). When Jesus comes, He will be "be glorified in His saints" (1 Thess 1:10). It is then, and only then, that we will be "glorified" as He has determined (Rom 8:30; Col 3:4).
And what is it that determines these blessings will be consummated in us? It is true, it will be by Divine appointment, but not ONLY by Divine appointment. It is through "various trials"that God is bringing our faith to these determinations. Trials are preparing us, burning out the moral and spiritual dross that cannot enter into glory. They also strengthen the determination of believers, showing them they do not belong to this world and causing them to long for "the world to come." Unlike the flesh, faith flourishes in trial. It does so because its eye is set on the future, and not the present. Faith brings a persuasion to the soul that "that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom 8:38-39). The Lord has determined this can ONLY be known in the ordeal of testing. It will never be realized by mere human analysis or adopting a creed, however sound it may be. Thus we see the truth confirmed, that trials are working for us (2 Cor 4:17).