I'll admit to loving the word of God. And while one could read it day after day for a lifetime and never grasp all that there was to learn... I must say, sometimes I get too comfortable and forget that it's worthy of a good surprise now and again. Today was one such day. The smallest of phrases, the littlest of words hit me... square between the eyes making me stand just a little bit taller knowing that my God has got my back! Here in this letter which Paul writes to Titus we find some encouragement... For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. Titus 2:11-14 NKJV But wait.. while this certainly is wonderful news, it's not what surprised me. For now Paul gives this word of instruction... Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you. Titus 2:15 There is its... that one simple, last sentence. Let no one despise you. I guess at first, I felt thrilled... that Paul gave Titus, gave all of us, this right to speak up for God and not tolerate anyone thinking less of us for it. And that empowered me... gave me a thrill that I was on the winning side. But then suddenly I was overwhelmed... like, was Paul opposed so often, so harshly, so terribly that he felt despised by others? What an ugly word. What an ugly heart. So I had to do, what I always do. I researched that word. And came to find that despise in the Greek means to think about from all sides and to think oneself higher. So not all together different than what I considered, but from a different angle. So I truly gained more than I expected. And I found out that this word despise is derived from an even better word. And that is... phroneo... to have an understanding that combines heart and mind; visceral and cognitive woven, unable to separate. To despise is only the negative form of a much better word. The positive version of it is used for how God wants us to think... how we can set our minds properly and stand firm, not letting others despise us. And it's used here... Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from His love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus... Philippians 2:1-5 And if our mind is set, as was the mind of Jesus when He determined His purpose to die for us and rise again to save us from sin... then we will not be despised; we will not let others tell us what to think of ourselves, just as He didn't. A set mind is not one one which can be despised. The mind of Christ, which we can have through the Spirit can guard us from being torn apart by the thoughts and opinions of others. But it it is a choice! We are not automatically programmed as such. For God gave us free will. So so let us set it... Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus... And also... Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you. Word of God train me today... To set my mind, humbly accepting these same ways as Yours, Jesus. To know who I am in Christ, so that I will not allow others to despise me, nor cause me to feel less than purposed.
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January 2019
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