Honor

Honor is the high respect, esteem or reverence accorded to exalted worth, rank, deferential admiration or approbation. A person’s honor is his personal title to high respect or esteem, honorableness, elevation of character, nobleness of mind, scorn of meanness, magnanimity, a fine sense of and allegiance to what is due or right.Oxford English Dictionary


“Honor puts God first and in the center of your life.”—Edna Lister

Honor refers to the soul’s aggregate virtue, purity, the keen sense of ethical conduct, and integrity of character. Honor puts God first and in the center of your life. Honor is an absolute and an abstract principle, a law of being and of doing, a virtue, and one of the 33 Degrees of the Via Christa. Honor, Morality and Equality form the first lesser trinity of Degrees, whose keynote is Responsibility.









Edna Lister on Honor

You are ready and worthy of greater honor and glory when you can take what earth offers with a smile, acknowledging only God as your Father-Mother, within and as you.—Edna Lister, a letter to her sister, 1934.


To walk the Via Christa, you must live by principle, and honor the Father and Mother God principles of Wisdom and Love.—Edna Lister, Recognizing Your Good, April 22, 1934.


The rewards of a peace creator are riches, honor, and life.—Edna Lister, Beatitudes, January 19, 1935.


Honor your Father (Wisdom) and Mother (Love) and cast not your virtues aside.—Edna Lister, Stepping Stones to Success, December 8, 1935.


Loyalty to God is the first commandment. Live what it teaches, to love honor above all things.—Edna Lister, September 6, 1938.


Walk as a creator god, living the virtues of honor, loyalty and integrity.—Edna Lister, Walking With God, February 10, 1940.


Unconquerable faith and unquenchable love are active principles, and to the one who holds to them and honors God above all things (and "honor" is the greatest of all), nothing is impossible.—Edna Lister, December 26, 1940.


Live as if honor and loyalty were the only standards in heaven or on earth; all else will follow.—Edna Lister, March 10, 1941.


Always use real honor, the honor that places God first and me last, the honor that is above all things of the earthly self.
  You must honor God so highly that you cannot realize anything of earth’s negatives, but only that which is real can register upon your consciousness.—Edna Lister, April 23, 1941.


Stand in ever greater love of honor, for love of honor above all else shall most surely fulfill all the laws of life for you.
  Only deepest humility and love of honor above all things can be your safety, not love of self, or to be thought great in the world.—Edna Lister, April 29, 1941.


Work in the Master’s name because honor is your Source, and strength. No one may gainsay, touch or take your honor away, for it is God’s gift to you. Let no man smirch this honor. Let all else go. Let men blame, persecute and revile you, yet do not let go of honor. Hold it fast as your rod and staff, your comfort, and though you lose the whole world for honor, you gain everything of soul.—Edna Lister, May 18, 1941.


Stand in honor and in joy.—Edna Lister, June 11, 1941.


Eternal bliss comes only from a contrite heart and a noble spirit under honor before God above all things.—Edna Lister, February 22, 1942.


Love is honor in expression here on earth because God’s Honor is an exact, perfect blend and balance of Love and Wisdom expressing itself in Selflessness at all times, under all circumstances.—Edna Lister, December 22, 1942.


As above, so below. As below in honor, so above.—Edna Lister, October 20, 1944.


If you honor God first, above all things of earth, you cannot dishonor yourself or another.—Edna Lister, December 11, 1944.


A person honors an office only when he or she lives up to all the laws of that office.—Edna Lister, January 31, 1945.


Do all things to the Master’s honor and glory.—Edna Lister, June 28, 1945.


You stand upright as a pillar of your own honor and integrity.—Edna Lister, July 2, 1945.


Do not be dishonest or dishonorable with self. Do not speak lightly or laugh about anything that can sink back into the subconscious mind to taint it.—Edna Lister, July 10, 1945.


On the Via Christa, we follow higher laws of honor than any other in Creation.—Edna Lister, July 19, 1945.


No position honors a man. The man must honor the position to hold it.—Edna Lister, August 12, 1945.


You must hold, defend, and honor your position. Be sure to honor your position and not self.—Edna Lister, October 12, 1945.


Honor God first.—Edna Lister, April 17, 1947.


Stand on principle always. In this way, you gradually build a reputation of justice, honor, and truthfulness. Others will come and defer to you for answers.—Edna Lister, June 27, 1947.


Gaining a position is one thing, holding and honoring it is another. Many people lose their point of honor because they are unable to stand, to hold, and to defend against evil.—Edna Lister, October 12, 1947.


Be just, honorable and truthful.—Edna Lister, January 8, 1948.


Joy pays the greatest honor to God.—Edna Lister, March 21, 1948.


You can trust in your own honor only when you lift self and keep your vows to God.
  Why should you feel honored by being thought of as trustworthy? You are supposed to become honor. When you have done so, you will not fight for place or position, feel hurt when another seeks what you have called your place, or feel superior in honor, loyalty or ability.
  There is but one law for the Elect, the law of honor, the Way of Light.—Edna Lister, April 19, 1948.


Sometimes, to fit the other fellow’s lesser capacity, it’s necessary to remain silent about your full definition of honor. This silence is not misdirection but compassionate kindness.—Edna Lister, June 15, 1948.


When you dishonor God, your mentality seems foggy.—Edna Lister, December 1, 1948.


Your honor of God adds honor to all your earth vows of love.—Edna Lister, March 30, 1952.


The Father dared to send His Son from the glory of His Light into the darkness of earth because He trusted His Son’s honor completely.—Edna Lister, The Living Chalice, December 7, 1952.


Anyone who disregards law dishonors God, is playing with God, breaking the law and is arrogant.—Edna Lister, December 18, 1952.


The compassion of the Lord Jesus Christ holds every soul in his own place under God or up to his highest point of honor.—Edna Lister, July 13, 1953.


Loyalty to principle is honor: If you are loyal to God’s principles, you cannot act dishonorably toward one of His creations without creating terrible conflict within youself.
  You honor God as personality, but are loyal to God as principle.—Edna Lister, Do You Always Wear Your Armor? November 15, 1953.


Choose not to be responsible and you get tangled in the loyalties and honors of earth. Then you are no longer independent but in bondage to earth.—Edna Lister, I Surrender, July 4, 1954.


When you live by honor sincerely and never disobey that honor in lesser ways, you earn high credits, paid not for earth knowledge, but for honor and love of God.—Edna Lister, May 19, 1955.


God can’t set aside divine law to please you, and taking advantage of God’s good nature by expecting Him to do so is dishonorable.—Edna Lister, Religious Slavery or Freedom? November 27, 1955.


The principle of faith is that steadfastness of courage that is honor. Faith is the exercise of balance between Love and Wisdom and Honor above all things.—Edna Lister, June 25, 1956.


The only pride you may have is in living honorably, ascending to the highest honor of God, not to lower your banner of honor to any man.—Edna Lister, June 26, 1956.


Righteousness is honor, loyalty and integrity combined, a state of consciousness of learning to be right, not through opinion and prejudice, but with principle and the love of God.—Edna Lister, Lights and Colors, July 17, 1956.


You are on your honor, honor above all things, in which is no hiding or deception toward oneself.—Edna Lister, July 20, 1956.


Once you choose honor to God above all things, ever striving to conquer, all the powers and glories of heaven are opened to you.—Edna Lister, September 1956.


The first command is to honor God, then to surrender completely to His will and desire for you.—Edna Lister, October 25, 1956.


You must live up to a code of honor that is as great as your acceptance of the kingdom and Christ, despite any and all outer conditions.—Edna Lister, Your Attitude Toward Man, December 9, 1956.


Walk as a creator god in loyalty and honor before God.—Edna Lister, The Brain, Your Instrument of Power, September 24, 1957.


Personal honor includes an intense sense of responsibility to accept the fact that everything is possible under God, though you may not immediately see how.
  Honor is holding the highest respect for God, humanity and law, a part of your whole allegiance to truth that reflects nobleness of mind.
  Obedience to law will bring you to a state of honor, loyalty, integrity, and consideration.—Edna Lister, God Is a Gentleman, September 29, 1957.


The first born of honor and loyalty are integrity and consideration in action.—Edna Lister, September 30, 1957.


Honor and loyalty mate and their firstborn is integrity and consideration in action.—Edna Lister, Triumphant You November 25, 1957.


You may not force your code of honor on another, for no two codes are the same. The crawler does not live by a high code of honor, yet the higher sense of honor never blames the lesser. The higher your code of honor, the more faithfully you must live up to it. If you use it as a whip on others, you incur a great debt. Honor does not force you to make another live it. When you live honorably, you free all others to live in their grade. Live your code of honor.
  Don’t say, "This isn’t my kind of honor," or you stick your nose into a garbage can and carry away the stench. If you live by God’s Honor, you live it without boasting about it.
  If your sense of honor is not high enough to see that God holds the world together, then you do not see that God is running the world His way.—Edna Lister, August 7, 1958.


If you honor God, you will esteem Him with all your heart, mind and soul.
  Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God sets the keynote of honor to God above all things.
  Living by God’s Honor and desiring to become pure, immediately releases the Power and Light to melt and dissolve the crystallization of many lives.—Edna Lister, October 9, 1958.


If a child has been trained in honor and loyalty, this leads to leadership in life.—Edna Lister, Seven Life Ages of Man, November 11, 1958.


Moses and Aaron let God use them for His honor and glory, and thus were able to work miracles.—Edna Lister, Ten Plagues on Egypt, December 2, 1958.


You earn soul glory by expressing honor, loyalty and integrity. Live by the motto: "Honor above all things." Loyalty to principle is next in line. Integrity of soul is your guiding star forever.—Edna Lister, Eternal Youth, 1958.


A Master learns honor and polishing his virtues of ethics and morals.
  The fifth law of expression is to accept responsibility to polish your ethics and morals, which become your honor.—Edna Lister, The Pioneering Mystic, May 5, 1959.


The first law of our Order among the Elect is Honor above all things. Our solemn obligation under honor and loyalty to God is to lift evil the minute you hear it, and love the who or what into the Light.
  Follow your own honor. You receive credits for faithfulness when you obey.—Edna Lister, May 7, 1959.


You would not plan to betray your honor, but the little self betrays you.—Edna Lister, October 5, 1959.


Justice is stainless honor of soul above all, expressed as loyalty to God as your Source first, before earthly loyalties.—Edna Lister, What Is Symbolism? October 6, 1959.


Responsibility includes honor, morality and equality. Honor is recognizing and discharging your responsibilities. Honor is spelled "responsibility" on earth.—Edna Lister, The 33 Degrees of Soul Conquering, October 20, 1959.


Honor, love and faith are the roots of your heavenly Tree of Life and all else branches from them. Study, ponder and hold them fast with all your soul, mind, heart and body, lest self betrays you again.—Edna Lister, notes for a sermon, 1960.


You obtain freedom only by living under honor, justice, and loyalty.—Edna Lister, From Adam to Jesus, May 22, 1960.


Never exalt your sense of honor at another’s expense, which is selfish; the responsibility is yours to rise to a higher sense of honor.
  Regardless of what the world may think, honor is not related to worldly position or fame. The soul's degree of honor is the foundation of his relationship with his Creator, so do not build your house on sand.
  When you live by Honor above all, Light transfigures you from the cocoon of self into the glory of soul.—Edna Lister, Steadfastness Through Vigilance, June 19, 1960.


Virtue is acting under honor, loyalty, responsibility, faith, love and all one hundred forty-four faculties of soul.—Edna Lister, What Is Virtue? July 12, 1960.


You honor your place or not, but your place does not honor you: You shall honor your place.—Edna Lister, September 8, 1960.


You must base your choices on honor and integrity of soul.—Edna Lister, September 7, 1961.


The Elect live by absolute morality in everything that impinges on God’s Honor.—Edna Lister, October 12, 1961.


Obey the six laws of absolute necessity for high integrity and full honor:
  Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you.—Matthew 6:33.
  Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him.—Matthew 5:25.
  Abstain from all appearance of evil.—1 Thessalonians 5:22.
  What is that to thee? Follow thou me.—John 21:22.
  I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.—John 12:32.
  This is good! Let there be Light!—Genesis 1.
—Edna Lister, March 28, 1962.


If you do not stand on the hub of your balance wheel of honor, your ethics and morals may be broken into fragments.—Edna Lister, Honor Above All, April 8, 1962.


Doors shall swing open for you at the right time because you stand in loyalty and honor before God.—Edna Lister, April 16, 1962.


The beauty and the glory of law under honor are beyond words to express.—Edna Lister, November 29, 1962.


When something comes that for the instant seems of concern, you shall know that you are privileged and honored by being asked to lift a greater share of the world’s evil.—Edna Lister, February 1963.


You live by the honor of God, and loyalty to God.
  Seek the sweet, firm, final way of living in honor and loyalty to God and integrity of soul.—Edna Lister, April 4, 1963.


You must live honorably with loyalty to principle, to God and integrity of soul.—Edna Lister, August 5, 1963.


Honor, loyalty and integrity are the fruits of self-discipline and self-sacrifice.—Edna Lister, August 15, 1963.


Responsibility is based on respect for God’s laws under honor, loyalty, and integrity of soul.—Edna Lister, Responsibility, February 14, 1964.


We need unselfish leaders of honor, loyalty and integrity of soul who don’t think of what they’re due.—Edna Lister, September 13, 1964.


The unwavering one, who covers nothing of the self and stands firmly for honor, shall enjoy the overwhelming victory of loyalty to God.—Edna Lister, October 29, 1964.


You cannot explain honor, loyalty or integrity to one who does not know the Universal Father.—Edna Lister, Omnipresence, the Father’s Primacy, November 24, 1964.


Remember all the laws you have been given, and keep them in honor and obedience to God.—Edna Lister, January 17, 1966.


Hold your honor sacred and secret so that nothing can tear asunder your soul’s integrity.—Edna Lister, November 6, 1967.


All souls must have honor and integrity.—Edna Lister, November 4, 1968.


You can’t be the full honor of God while making excuses.—Edna Lister, November 7, 1968.


Your character is the result of how you live by honor, integrity, and how you apply law to all your choices in action.—Edna Lister, How to Make a Just Appraisal, May 14, 1968.


When you plan your day in the morning, use desire, thinking and imagination with honor, loyalty and integrity.—Edna Lister, November 7, 1968.


Once you follow all law, others may honor and exalt you, but for your soul, not for self.—Edna Lister, November 18, 1968.


God sent us forth with free choice because He had perfect trust in our ability to conquer earth’s illusions and make honorable choices.—Edna Lister, Let Your Light So Shine, November 24, 1968.


A true Mystic follows the Light while he worships our infallible God. The steady beacon Light of honor is always guiding him.—Edna Lister, Philosophers and Mystics: Pythagoras and Plotinus, November 26, 1968.


Resentment is both dishonest and dishonorable.—Edna Lister, Undated Papers, 1970

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Declarations for Honor

I now honor God so highly that I cannot realize anything of earth’s negatives, but only that which is real can register upon my consciousness.—Edna Lister, Undated Papers, 1941.

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Stories That Illustrate Honor

The Hypocritical Pharisees: Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? For God commanded, saying, Honor thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; and honor not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoreth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.—Matthew 15:1-9.

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A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and in his own house.—Matthew 13:57.


A prophet is not without honor, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.—Mark 6:4.


Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honor in his own country.—John 4:44.


Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: That all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He that honoreth not the Son honoreth not the Father which hath sent him.—John 5:22-23.


I receive not honor from men.—John 5:41.


How can ye believe, which receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that cometh from God only?—John 5:44.


If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honor.—John 12:26.


Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?—Romans 2:23. [You dishonor God by breaking the law.]


Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another; not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.—Romans 12:10-13.


Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.—Romans 13:7.


This is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour every one of you should know how to possess his vessel [body] in sanctification and honor.—1 Thessalonians 4:3-4.


Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.—1 Timothy 1:17.


Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine.—1 Timothy 5:17.


Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.—1 Timothy 6:1.


In a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.—2 Timothy 2:20.


For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. And no man taketh this honor unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.—Hebrews 5:1-6.


Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled.—Hebrews 13:4.


Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.—1 Peter 2:17.


Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.—1 Timothy 5:17.

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Old Testament on Honor

Honor thy father and thy mother.—Exodus 20:1.


I have given thee riches and honor.—1 Kings 3:1.


Thou art clothed with honor and majesty.—Psalms 104:1.


Happy is the man that finds wisdom, and the man that gets understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honor.—Proverbs 3:13-16. [Wisdom brings long life, riches and honor.]


Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuses instruction: but he that regards reproof shall be honored.—Proverbs 13:18.


Before honor is humility.—Proverbs 15:33.


With dishonor comes reproach.—Proverbs 18:3.


It is an honor for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.—Proverbs 20:3.


He that follows after righteousness and mercy finds life, righteousness, and honor.—Proverbs 21:21.


By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honor, and life.—Proverbs 22:4.


Honor is not seemly for a fool.—Proverbs 26:1.


As he that binds a stone in a sling, so is he that gives honor to a fool.—Proverbs 26:8. He who gives honor to a fool binds a stone in a sling.


A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honor shall uphold the humble in spirit.—Proverbs 29:23.


Honor in Other Sacred Writings

Honor your father and mother (Wisdom and Love) both in word and deed, that a blessing may come upon you from them, for the blessing of the father establishes the houses of children; but the curse of the mother roots out foundations.—Wisdom of Ben Sirach 3:8-9.


Honor and shame is in talk, and your tongue is your fall.—Wisdom of Ben Sirach 5:13.


They who fear the Lord are a sure seed, and they who love Him an honorable plant: they who regard not the law are a dishonorable seed; they who transgress the commandments are a deceivable seed.—Wisdom of Ben Sirach 10:19.


The disposition of a liar is dishonorable, and his shame is ever with him.—Wisdom of Ben Sirach 20:26.

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Edna Miriam Lister
1884—1971
The original Pioneering Mystic,
Christian Platonist philosopher, American Idealist, Founder, Society of the Universal Living Christ, minister, teacher, author, wife, and mother.


Edna Lister


Etymology of honor: Latin honorem (nom. honos) "honor, dignity, office, reputation."


Honor is an absolute principle.

Honor is an abstract principle.

Honor is a law of being.

Honor is a law of doing.

Honor is a soul virtue.

Honor is a Via Christa Degree.


To Lucasta, Going to the Wars
Tell me not, Sweet, I am unkind,
   That from the nunnery
Of thy chaste breast and quiet mind
   To war and arms I fly.

True, a new mistress now I chase,
   The first foe in the field;
And with a stronger faith embrace
   A sword, a horse, a shield.

Yet this inconstancy is such
   As thou too shalt adore;
I could not love thee, Dear, so much,
   Loved I not Honour more.
—Richard Lovelace


Honor
Say, what is Honor? ’Tis the finest sense
Of justice which the human mind can frame,
Intent each lurking frailty to disclaim,
And guard the way of life from all offence
Suffered or done.

We know the arduous strife, the eternal laws
To which the triumph of all good is given,
High sacrifice, and labor without pause,
Even to the death: else wherefore should the eye
Of man converse with immortality?
—William Wordsworth


References

Honor, A Dictionary of Physics (6th ed.), Oxford University Press, 2014, eISBN: 9780191726798.

The Holy Bible. King James Version (KJV).

Lovelace, Richard. To Lucasta, Going to the Wars, The Oxford Book of English Verse. Sir Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch, compiler. Oxford: Clarendon, 1919.

The Nag Hammadi Library. James M. Robinson, ed. San Francisco: Harper and Row, 1988.

Webster, Noah. s.v. Honor, Webster’s American Dictionary of the English Language, S. Converse, 1828.

Wordsworth, William. Honor, Parnassus: An Anthology of Poetry. Ralph Waldo Emerson, ed. Boston: Houghton, Osgood and Company, 1880.


Related Topics

The Good

Integrity

Loyalty


Honor Above All (a): Edna Lister sermon outline; April 8, 1962.

Honor Above All (b): Edna Lister sermon outline; April 8, 1962.


The Soul of Honor: Linda Mihalic sermon; Pentecost, May 19, 2002