Honor Can Come

So honor will come to you who believe, but for the unbelieving, the stone that the builders rejected — this One has become the cornerstone, and a stone to stumble over, and a rock to trip over. - 1 Peter 2:7-8

In these words, we see the antithesis to Peter's previous quote from Isaiah 28:16 (“Look, I have laid a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will be unshakable."). Those who trust in Christ will never be put to shame, but instead they will receive honor at His glorious return. What a message for the lost who live within honor/shame cultures around the world! But, there's more!

It is here that we also see the marriage of God's sovereignty and personal responsibility. Christ, who is our Ebenezer (Stone of Help) is also a stone over which we stumble. Many struggle to get over their own need. Others are stopped by pride. Still others wrestle with independent, self-sufficiency. The truth is that Christ endured the shame for our sin (for which we should be ashamed) in order that the honor (rightly due only to Him) might be ours through His vicarious atonement.

So, honor will come, if you will believe.

God, the Eternal God, is Love. Covet therefore that everlasting gift, that one thing which it is certain is going to stand, that one coinage which will be current in the universe when all other coinages of all the nations of the world shall be useless and dishonored. - Henry Drummond