4. Glory, Honor, Peace
Romans 2:10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good.
The conditional promise: if you work good, then you will have glory, honor, and peace. Everyone who works good is the one who believes in Jesus for the forgiveness of sins and eternal life. “Do good.” That’s the key. But no one is good: “Call no man good;” “There is not a just man upon earth that doeth good and sinneth not.” For “without faith it is impossible to please God.” But God is pleased with the one who believes in the Son, so the one who believes is the one who “does good.”
They asked Jesus, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” [John 6:28-29]. Faith in Christ is working good. Therefore, the one who believes in Jesus will receive the promise of glory, honor, and peace. The believer actually does do good, but what actually happens is that Jesus gives him His glory, honor, and peace.
Glory and honor has to do with what others think of me and how I am regarded by people. That glory and honor is fickle and short-lived; it passes quickly. Real and long-lasting glory and honor is what God thinks of me and how He regards me. We know that because of Christ God glorifies and honors me; He thinks extremely highly of me. There are many times I really need to believe this promise. No matter how bad I feel or how terrible are the conditions of life I know what God really thinks of me. He bestows glory and honor upon me now and forever. It’s really Jesus’ glory, but He gave it to me. I am honored, always.
The further promise is the promise of peace. “My peace I give you, my peace I leave with you.” Jesus lived at absolute peace with Himself, with the Father, and He was without conflict or trouble even in the midst of undeserved torment. That is the kind of peace we need; and Hallelujah! It is the kind of peace we have. I promise.