I used to keep score on things that never actually kept score on me. A compliment, a social media “LIKE”, a moment of being noticed. It felt like it meant something in the moment, and then it just didn’t anymore.
Many people spend their lives pursuing public attention, recognition, and applause from others. But these forms of validation are short-lived. They fade as quickly as they arrive, and time moves on without them.
In 2 Thessalonians 1:12, the Apostle Paul provides us an eternal perspective of honor, recognition, and applause. Paul says, that if our lives honor the name of Jesus, He will honor us in return.
So let’s ask ourselves: how can our lives honor the name of Jesus? The list is long, but here are a few ways to start.
- Honor Jesus Christ by loving Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. He sacrificed everything on the cross, offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice for our sins.
- Honor Jesus Christ by presenting your life to Him as a living sacrifice. Take your everyday, ordinary life, your sleeping, eating, working, and walking-around life, and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him.
- Honor Jesus Christ by serving others. Love your neighbor as much as you love yourself. Treat others with the same compassion, kindness, and respect you want for your own life. Jesus came to serve, and when we serve others, we imitate Him.
- Honor Jesus Christ by doing your best in all things, including your work. Work from the heart for your real Master, Jesus Christ. Being a follower of Christ doesn’t excuse bad work or poor performance. Keep in mind who you’re truly serving.
- Honor Jesus Christ with your lifestyle choices. Your body is a sacred place, the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. Scripture tells us we can’t live however please, squandering what God paid such a high price for. The physical part of you isn’t separate property from the spiritual part of you. God owns the whole thing. Let people see Him in and through your life.
This week, let’s let our lives honor Jesus Christ completely, by being obedient to His Word, following in His footsteps, and being an example to others through our actions, choices, and character.