But I know you, that ye have not the love of God
in you. I am come in my Father’s name, and ye
receive me not: if another shall come in his own
name, him ye will receive. How can ye believe,
which receive honour one of another, and seek
not the honour that cometh from God only?
(John 5:42-44).

Here is the honor that comes from God only. By
coming to Jesus, instead of going away from Him as
these Pharisees were doing, we learn God’s definition
of honor from the Bible.

Man’s definition of honor is a derivative of the
honor of God, but it is light and shallow. There is no
depth to it. It is almost dishonorable in view of what
some men do to get it.

Let’s take the military, for example. One man is
honored by rank. He is given honor because he has
proven to be a leader of men. The longer and better
he does his job, the more promotions to higher rank
he receives. Finally he is promoted to general. Rank
has privilege. It has honor. This man has come to his
high position honorably. Men stand in awe of this
officer, and they should.

However, some men who wear the marks of high
rank get them dishonorably—by scheming, begging
or doing favors to gain approval. The only reason they
want rank is so they can walk in money and pride
and throw their weight around. That is not honor;
it is dishonor.

Such men are a discredit to the uniform they wear.
They are a particular discredit to those who have led
men into battle and won their badges of rank honorably.
The schemers have the same rank, the same
“honor,” the same privilege, as those who deserve
them—but they did not come by them honorably.

They achieved man’s honor—man’s way.
Let’s look at Psalm 8. It will help us understand
the kind of honor that comes from God only.

Kenneth Copeland Ministries