TISHRI 21
Honorable
“…whatever is worthy of reverence and is
HONORABLE and seemly …” (Phi 4:8 AMPC,
emphasis mine)
The
Greek word that has been translated as our English word ‘honorable’ is the word
semnos (Strong’s G4586), and it is
only found in four places in the Brit
Chadashah (New Testament). The other
three times this word is used is concerning the qualifications of
congregational leaders and elders, and is found in 1Tim 3:8, 11, and in Tit
2:2. Semnos
describes an inner quality that is worthy of respect, something within a
person that attracts others, and it is to be envied. It is more than just ‘good manners and
behavior’; it is someone of a humble, noble and dignified character, who is
setting the kind of example others are willing to follow, i.e. an honorable person.
There
are several columns in any dictionary devoted to the definitions of the words
honor, and honorable; included are the words respect and reverence. And so we are called to meditate on what is
honorable, on those things, or persons, that are worthy of our respect, our
reverence, our honor, that are noble, whose behavior and example we can
imitate, and ultimately, anything that brings honor to our Elohim (see Ps 66:2;
John 5:23).
Yes, we
can make a conscious effort to focus our thoughts on things that are
honorable: for example, those people
that are taking the truth of Yahweh’s Torah to other countries; organizations
and individuals aiding the Hebrew people that are scattered throughout the
diaspora to return home to the land of Israel; Disaster Relief organizations;
and honoring our parents – these are just some examples of honorable things we
can be ‘fixing our thoughts’ on. What I
have found, as I continue to submit to the training camp of my Creator in this
exercise, is that it becomes easier as each day goes by …
“Pay to everyone what is due them—tribute to whom tribute is due;
tax to whom tax is due; respect to whom respect is due; honor to whom honor is
due.” (Rom 13:7 TLV)
“No
person was ever honored for what he received; honor has been the reward for
what he gave.”
Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933)
©2018
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