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 Writings of the
Apostles (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 Elohim’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)
©2020
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