November 22

From: Continual Burnt Offering: Daily Meditations

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“Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, to speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men” —Titus 3:1, 2¹Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, ²To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men. (Titus 3:1‑2).

THE things that are highly esteemed among men are often thoroughly opposed to the mind of God (Luke 16:15¹⁵And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. (Luke 16:15)). It is the ambitious, energetic man, who presses to the front, striving to excel his fellows, who has the admiration of men of the world, who suppose that present gain is the great thing to be desired. But Jesus taught us that it is the meek who inherit the earth (Matt. 5:5⁵Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5)). The “terrible meek,” one has called them, who are content to be passed over and to be unnoticed by men, but to whom the approval of the Lord means more than all else; these are they who overcome the world by faith (1 John 5:4⁴For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. (1 John 5:4)). They can afford to relinquish present advantage, for they know they shall find a sure reward at the judgment-seat of Christ.

There is no room for earthly pomp or worldly glory in the circle of Christ’s followers. To seek for personal advancement and to endeavor to lord it over one’s brethren is thoroughly contrary to the spirit of Him who became Servant of all, though He created the universe. The spirit of a Diotrephes (3 John 9⁹I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. (3 John 9)) is far removed from the spirit of Christ and should be avoided by all of His servants, but that of an Epaphroditus (Phil. 2:25-29²⁵Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labor, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. ²⁶For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick. ²⁷For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. ²⁸I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. ²⁹Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation: (Philippians 2:25‑29)) is a worthy example which all may well emulate.

“O worldly pomp and glory,

Your charms are spread in vain!

I’ve heard a sweeter story;

I’ve found a truer gain.

Where Christ a place prepareth,

There is my loved abode.

There shall I gaze on Jesus;

There shall I dwell with God.”

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