the mind of Christ was not despised

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.