Nobility - Is It in You?

Today’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Isaiah 31-32
NT: Acts 18
W&W: Proverbs 26

Today’s Reflection:

Excerpted from New Webster’s Dictionary of the English Language; College Edition:

Nobility, n. The state or quality of being noble; noble birth or state; exalted moral excellence; admirable dignity; majesty or augustness.
Noble, a. Famous, illustrious or great; distinguished by birth, rank, or title; of an exalted moral character or excellence; admirable in dignity of conception, or in the manner of expression, execution, or composition; stately or magnificent; of an admirable high quality; fine; choice; notably superior.

Excerpted from the Bible; Isaiah 31.8, NIV:
“The noble man makes noble plans, and by noble deeds he stands.”

Nobility – is it in you? For the follower of Jesus Christ, the above verse answers the question:

• It starts with the person, what you are: “The noble man [woman]…” You must be first. For nobility to be in you, you must be a noble person. Look at the definitions above, and rejoice that you have been distinguished by the new birth. You have been conceived through the Holy Spirit in dignity and rank. You get the idea.
• It then works into your manner of thinking as exhibited in your plans: “makes noble plans …” When you are made noble through the new birth, all things become new, even your way of thinking. This happens by discipline and focus on moral and excellent truths and by exposure and relationship to the noble family of God. The more you focus on God and walk with Jesus, the more noble your plans (thinking) become.
• Nobility then is expressed in actions: “by noble deeds…” The noble intentions that spring from the heart of a noble man or woman end up in noble behavior. Again, look at the descriptors found in the above definitions. You are behaving as a member of the nobility.
• Such a man /woman continues in his/her nobility: “he stands.” Being a part of nobility is not something you do for a while and then move on to something else. The truly noble person stands in his nobility. His or her final state is assured and certain.

Be. Plan. Do. Stand. Nobility – is it in you?

This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
1 John 1.5-6: This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.