"11. Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for
they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every
day to see if what Paul said was true."
Let's look at the 12th verse
which states that, among those generically mentioned in verse 11, there were "a
number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men..."
From my childhood
I've been interested in this thing of 'nobility.' Not so much the titular kind
of nobility, but rather the character trait type of nobility.
I suppose
it would be difficult, if looking at historical usage, to separate the two
aspects of nobility. After all, the French had a phrase describing the
'obligation' of 'nobility' which pretty much defined at least a significant part
of the character trait type of nobility.
In our society here in the
'western' world, we have elevated to prominence many people who aren't noble.
They weren't raised that way. That's why young athletes are so often in trouble.
It is reflected regularly in the newspapers and on television.
The
French also had a phrase, spoken with disdain, that described those who had
newly come into their wealth and positions.
I heard, early on, that
"having money doesn't give someone class."
There was a time, before the
opportunities of capitalism and the safety nets of socialism, when those who
were prominent were expected to exhibit the traits of their 'class' and
prominence by being noble in character.
The need for that certainly
hasn't lessened. Even with the social safety nets of Social Security Insurance
and Medicare and Medicaid, we have millions of people here in the U.S. who need
noble people, led by a commitment to the Word, to stand by them prominently
during their times of distress and sorrows.
In addition, there are
billions of people globally who are suffering and dying. When the Bible infers
that there are multitudes who are dying for a lack of the Word, it is referring
to the manifestation of the Word...
There is still a huge difference
between being 'doers of the Word and not hearers only.'
Where are the
noble women and men today? Where are those who have prominence? Why aren't
Christians mobilizing individually, and en masse, to live the truth of Jesus
(The Word) actively in public service today as He did in His day?
That
would be being women and men of prominence. That would be noble. That would be
coming into the fullness of Jesus. That would cut through politics, dogmas and
doctrines and be Truth.