Before Honor

Read: 1 Peter 5:5-6

Humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. 1 Peter 5:6

IN WORD

Paul wrote profoundly about the trajectory of the Incarnation in Philippians, where he describes Jesus emptying Himself of all the privileges of deity and becoming a man, humbling Himself to the point of death, after which God raised Him up and exalted Him above all. Eventually, every knee will bow to give Him honor. Jesus demonstrated that larger trajectory Himself when He laid aside His robe, donned the garments of a servant, knelt down to wash His disciples’ feet, and then got back up and put His rightful garments on. With His life, His words, and His acts of service, He demonstrated a deep humility that the Son of God would never have to reflect if He didn’t want to. But it’s His nature; He’s humble at heart. And in His Kingdom, the humble are lifted up to places of honor.

Humility comes before glory. Human nature forgets that. Many people think glory is something to achieve, but in the Kingdom, it’s something to receive. We don’t boast, make a name for ourselves, or make it a point to draw attention to ourselves. Some people do so out of insecurity, but we can be thoroughly secure in the Father’s love. And some do out of sheer pride, but we would never have been able to admit our sin and come to Christ if we were proud. So we have no need to seek glory by normal means. We can humbly rest in what God has done and receive whatever glory He offers.

IN DEED

Don’t be uncomfortable when He lifts you up. Many believers think they aren’t worthy of any glory at all, but we were created for it—in His own image, to be exact. Just as it’s impossible to bear His image without reflecting His glory, it’s impossible to expect the God of glory to leave His humble friends in lowly places forever. It’s another befuddling paradox, but the way to honor in His Kingdom is not to seek it. It’s to be preoccupied instead with serving, loving, offering, sacrificing, and meeting needs. When we are humble enough to do that, He is more than willing enough to lift us up at the right time.

ADDITIONAL READING: Philippians 2:5-11

By the lowliness and humility of our Lord Jesus Christ, we climb up as on a true ladder to heaven into the heart of God.

JOHANN ARNDT