In The Master's Service

PROPER GLORY, HONOR, PRAISE & THANKFULNESS

All that we think or do in life should be done primarily to bring glory, honor and praise to the Lord. No doubt, we all fall short in our efforts to do this. But this should not deter us from pressing toward this mark. We should have the attitude of Paul.

Paul admitted that he had not reached the perfection he desired. "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things that are behind, and reaching forth unto those things that are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:13-14). Our lives should be lived in a manner that will focus attention on our Lord, rather than ourselves.

Paul instructs the saints to teach and admonish "one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord" (Colossians 3:16). In verse 17, he continues: "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God and the Father by him." It has been rightfully said that if what we plan to do cannot be done in the name of Jesus, we ought not to do it.

Many of the problems in the world in all areas of life are brought about by men wanting glory, honor and power. In one way or another, they are seeking to occupy a position that rightfully belongs only to God. King Nebuchadnezzar is a prime example: "The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?" (Daniel 4:30).

How many political leaders, although not using the same words, have had the same attitude as the king of Babylon? Is it possible that church members, including ministers and deacons, may be afflicted with this type attitude to some extent? The flesh will try to lead us all toward that attitude. May we resist that temptation and walk in the Spirit, rather than the flesh. "Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh" (Galatians 5:16).

The Lord has repeatedly warned His people about the grievous sin of pride or self-exaltation. "Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord" (Jeremiah 9:23-24). Paul paraphrases a portion of this quote in I Corinthians 1:31: "That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord."

Jesus had harsh words for those who went about honoring one another rather than God. "How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?" (John 5:44). These ungodly men were much more concerned with the praise and adoration of their friends than with pleasing the Lord. Our goal should be to please God, rather than men. Paul said, "For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ" (Galatians 1:10).

When individuals or nations forget the source of their blessings and begin to pridefully seek honor and glory for themselves, they become involved in idolatry and forget the laws of God. If American forgets to acknowledge God and becomes lifted up in too much pride, we will most surely be destroyed. Psalm 9:17 tells us that all the nations that forget God shall be turned into hell. I'm afraid we are getting dangerously close to that frame of mind today! Deuteronomy, Chapter 8, presents a clear lesson of how a people ought to view their blessings while avoiding the temptation of forgetting the Lord: Israel was instructed to remember well the Lord and the many blessings He had bestowed upon them because there was a great danger of having their hearts and minds turned from the Lord in their time of prosperity. "Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the Lord thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt...And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth..." (Deuteronomy 8:14-18).

Perhaps one of the most insidious means the devil and the flesh uses to lead the faithful into a condition of pride and boastfulness is in the matter of understanding the truth. We have much for which to be thankful if we have been blessed of the Lord to understand the true gospel message of eternal salvation by God's grace alone and to appreciate the simplicity of the New Testament method of worship. We should glorify, praise, and honor the Lord for this great blessing. But we should never develop the attitude that it is by our superior knowledge that we have been able to believe and embrace these great truths.

Furthermore, we should not come to the conclusion that the Lord is only working through the Primitive Baptist Church. The Lord is most surely using other orders to bring much truth and comfort to His children. Our purpose is not to pridefully ridicule those who are in darkness on some points. Rather, as the Lord opens the door, we should lovingly expound unto them "the way of the Lord more perfectly" (Acts 18:26).

I fear that we as the church, have too often attacked those who are involved in acts of mercy and kindness. Even among ourselves, those that are most zealous in helping the poor, the downtrodden, and suffering are often put down by those who are so sure that they are walking in the old paths. If we would visit Mathew 25:35-40 more often, it might help us to look at things more nearly through God's perspective. There would be less boasting about our great understanding of doctrine.

May we ever know and acknowledge that whatever gifts, or abilities we have, they have been received from the Lord. Even should one excel far beyond most others, he is not to be lifted up or develop a superiority complex. To those who would be puffed us, Paul wrote: "For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?" (I Corinthians 4:7).

The Lord deserves ultimate glory, praise, honor, and thanks. "For in him we live, and move, and have our being..." (Acts 17:28). The Lord our God, has created the universe and all therein. He is totally responsible for our spiritual life. He along has given us the precious hope of eternal life. Through His Holy Spirit and providence, he has blessed us to understand many of His great truths. Even in the good works His children perform in obedience to His word, He is to be praised. "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10). As you perform your duties, you must never forget "it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13).

"Praise ye the Lord, Praise ye the Lord from the heavens: praise him in the heights. Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him all his hosts, Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light" (Psalm 148:1-3). "Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth: Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children: Let them praise the name of the Lord: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven" (Psalm 148:11-13).

There is no way we can praise, honor and glorify the name of the Lord too much! (Now we could attempt to praise Him for the sin and wickedness in the world, but that would not really be praise. It would be blasphemy.) Everything we say or do in life that are in keeping with His commandments, brings honor and glory to the Lord. Even when we esteem our brethren and honor them as taught in scripture, it brings honor and glory to God. It is most important that we bestow honor upon whom honor is due.

However, we are never give honor to man that rightly belongs to God. We should never worship man or angels, but only God. If and when honor and praise from others reaches the point that it borders on worship, it should be rejected. There are several examples of this in scripture.

After Peter and John healed the impotent man at the temple gate, they pointed the people to Jesus: "And when Peter saw it (the amazement of the people, w.c.), he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?" (Acts 3:12). They let it be known that this work was in the name and power of Jesus Christ.

Peter was very faithful in turning attention and worship away from himself and to where it belonged. "And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshiped him. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man" (Acts 10: 25-26).

Although there is no place for worship of our fellowman, we have a duty to honor and esteem those who are worthy. Children are to honor their parents in the Lord (Ephesians 6:2), the church is to honor widows indeed (I Timothy 5:3), church members should honor faithful ministers (I Timothy 5:17). The brethren are instructed to esteem their pastors very highly (I Thessalonians 5:12-13).

We need to realize that it is not wrong to give and receive a compliment on a job well done. Yet, it is sinful for us to covet honor, recognition, and praise. It is sinful to praise ourselves or boast of our achievements! "Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips (Proverbs 27:2). "It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory" (Proverbs 25:27).

Fellow Christians need encouragement. Paul was quick to compliment churches and saints for their faithfulness, as well as rebuke them when they fell short. I like the way Paul so often prefaced his encouragements with "I thank God...(I Corinthians 1:4; Philippians 1:3-5; I Thessalonians 1:2; II Thessalonians 1:3; II Timothy 1: 3). Notice how our Lord Jesus complimented the churches of Asia in areas where they were faithful while rebuking and warning them in regard to their sins and errors.

Don't let our desire to ascribe all glory and honor to the Lord prevent us from rendering due honor and encouragement to those about us. A deserved, sincere compliment or thanks to our brothers and sisters is part of fulfilling the command to esteem others better than ourselves.