Based on Romans 2:6-7
6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds: 7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
The previous verse describes the judgment of God. He will judge every person according to his or her actions. It seems that although we are saved by grace through faith, we will be judged by works; our actions. This is a pretty worrying thought, so what kind of works do we need to be saved?
Eternal life is given to those who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality. These are people who are willing to sacrifice for the gospel and the welfare of others in a determined and persistent way.
How are they motivated? By a desire for glory, what kind of glory? The attention and worship of others?
It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory. Proverbs 25:27
No, not for their own glory.
Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. Psalm 105:3
We seek the Lord, we glory in his name, his identity. This was what Moses sought.
18 And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. 19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy. Exodus 33:18-19
God's character is his glory, to glorify is to enhance the reputation. Those who are saved are trying/seeking to reflect the character of God so that people will appreciate him for who he is.
How else are they motivated? By a desire for honour, what kind of honour?
Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity... If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour... 2 Timothy 2:19,21
Paul mostly uses the word honour in his analogy about some pots made for honour and others for dishonour; meaning some people saved for honour and others condemned for dishonour. God wants to save everyone (2 Peter 3:9) but only those who exercise faith in him can be saved; made honourable. The others still serve a purpose, in showing that rebellion against God leads to evil, this is a dishonourable purpose. I want to be a person that is honoured by God because I have allowed him to save me, I want to be an example of "what to do", not "what not to do". So I am driven by my desire to be honoured by God.
What is the last motivation? A desire for immortality. I do not have any kind of immortality at the moment, (1 Timothy 6:16) I am living on borrowed time. If I am living my life in a way that glorifies God and that will bring me honour from God, my time in this sinful age is not going to be very nice. I want immortality so I can enjoy what life is meant to be like after sin is done away, and enjoy it forever.
4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. Revelation 21:4-5
Jesus says "Surely I come quickly." Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
That's something to look forward to, and it's worth making an effort to submit to the Holy Spirit in the purging of my life from sin. Ask for a stronger desire for victory.
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