Thursday, September 11, 2003
Dear Family:
I have for sometime received an email weekly from "The Federalist" newsletter. The one thing I really like is the quotes made by different public figures over the years. The latest letter pointed to the attention that has been given to the choices of words used by Ariel Sharon and Charles Barkley.
These days it has become acceptable to use offensive, shocking, insulting and even vulgar language as a part of conversation. In the days of my youth this conduct was called cursing and cursing would get your mouth washed out with soap. If that didn't stop it my mother or dad would use the razor strap, (a piece of leather and hard backing 3 inches wide and about 2 feet long). For some reason it didn't require much of either of these 2 possible methods of correction to cause one to choose their words more cautiously. The bible makes reference to curses as causing terrible things to happen to people. Whether one believes in curses or not, the evidence of curses does exist. The terrible affects parental criticism has on their children should be proof enough. The verbal of children by parents can be passed on generation after generation until the chain of abuse is broken by Christ. . Verbally abused children tend to become abusive husbands and wives. This abuse destroys their relationship. When careful study of the long lasting affects is made, the results look a lot like a curse.
Philippians 1:27-28 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. (NKJ)
The King James Version says, "Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ."
The word "conversation" is a much stronger word in Greek than in English and carries a much broader message. The word used is "politeuomai-", meaning:
1) to be a citizen
2) to administer civil affairs, to manage the state
3) to make or to create a citizen
a) to be a citizen
b) to behave as a citizen
1) to avail oneself of or recognize the laws
2) to conduct oneself as pledged to some law of life
The connotation is that of our entire life as the citizenry of the world. Every part of our being is expressed here. The word signifies the actions and the privileges of citizenship: and as such we are commanded to let our actions, as citizens of the world and the church be such as "becometh" the gospel of Christ.
Now this word "becometh" is also far reaching as well. "axios (ax-ee'-oce); adverb from; axios (ax'-ee-os); deserving, comparable or suitable (as if drawing praise): KJV-- due reward, meet, appropriately: after a godly sort, worthily (-thy). It is about how we conduct ourselves in every aspect of our life – appropriately, after a godly sort. It should be reflected in our manner, our speech, our dress, our whole behavior, not laced with fancy frills or that which the world displays but with the simplicity which is the very soul of beauty.
The gospel is pre-eminently true, it is gold without dross; and the Christian's life will be lusterless and valueless without the jewel of truth. The gospel is a very fearless gospel, it boldly proclaims the truth, whether men like it or not: we must be equally faithful and unflinching. But the gospel is also very gentle. Christ was simple in his speech drawing pictures and illustrations with his words. The word is like a double edged sword but our words and actions are never to be. Meekness and gentleness mark the character of Christ. The gospel is very loving. It is the message of the God of love to a lost and fallen people. Christ's last command to His disciples was, "Love one another." The gospel of Christ is holy. It never excuses sin. It pardons sin, but only through atonement. If our life is to resemble the gospel, we must shun, not merely the grosser vices, but everything that would hinder our perfect conformity to Christ. For His sake, for our own sakes, and for the sakes of others, we must strive day by day to let our conversation be more in accordance with His gospel.
Eph 4:1-3 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. (NIV)
2 Pet 1:4-7 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.
(NIV)
Our attitude and our actions are to be one of continual growth in maturity, discipline and restraint. We are to grow in faith, goodness, knowledge, self control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love.
Love ya
Dad
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