euphemos

Priorities are messy. Even the definition of the word acknowledges the disparity between things that merit attention and things that receive attention. Merriam-Webster’s OnLine dictionary defines a Priority as

1. a (1) : the quality or state of being prior (2) : precedence in date or position of publication — used of taxa b (1) : superiority in rank, position, or privilege (2) : legal precedence in exercise of rights over the same subject matter
2. a preferential rating; especially : one that allocates rights to goods and services usually in limited supply <that project has top priority>
3. something given or meriting attention before competing alternatives

Believers concur that God should be first, and most cultures and creeds pay lip-service to the concept that Family should be prioritized above Work. After that, it gets messy and situational. Jesus came to deliver us from a rigid set of rules and regulations governing our behavior, and sent the Holy Spirit to direct us. Some would therefore postulate that perhaps we’re not supposed to have a tidy priority list. Perhaps defining priorities only serves as a crutch and encourages us to attempt to serve God in our own strength rather than relying upon His strength. What did Jesus say?

Jesus provided a very short list of absolute priorities:

1. Seek first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:25-33, Mark 12:29-30)

There is no second priority, and we are explicitly instructed that to “not worry” about anything else (Matthew 6:25-33). Kirkegaard explains that purity of heart (that purity which enables us to see God) is to will one thing, to seek only God. Adhering in practice to this single principle is both necessary for any of our other situational priorities to be right, and sufficient to ensure that they are.

For many of us, this is unpracticed preaching, and as a result of failing to set this absolute priority, nothing else works. The first commandment, in both order and importance, has always been to remember that YHVH is the Lord our God, we are to have no other gods before him.

Relative priorities should simply be a matter of applying our absolute priority, but Jesus knows how messy life is, so He gave us some examples to demonstrate what our situational priority list will resemble after we establish our absolute priority. A few of the more explicitly stated biblical valuations that we’ll dig into over the next few weeks are:

• Jesus over Family (Matthew 10:37 and Luke 14:26)
• Others over Self (John 13:34 and Mark 12:28-32)
• People over Creation (Matthew 10:31, Matthew 6:25-34, and Matthew 12:12)
• Justice, Mercy, and Faithfulness over Giving (Matthew 23:23)
• Proportion over Amount (Mark 12:41-44)
• Repentence over Righteousness (Luke 15:7)
• Serving over Ruling (Matthew 20:27 and Mark 9:35)

Priorities are defined by conflict, and indeed, can not be demonstrated outside of conflict. Stating that Family is more important than Work is meaningless until those come into conflict. If there is no perceived conflict, then our priorities are not what we think they are. What do the conflicts in my life say about my priorities? Do they reflect Jesus?

by David Smith

“… whatever is admirable … think about such things.” ( Philippians 4:8  NIV )

What is the holiest moment of worship?

Is it exuberant celebration? One of those times when people are on their feet and animated. When the room is filled with spontaneous shouts of “Hallelujah” and “Amen.” When people simply cannot contain themselves in celebration of the saving work of their self-sacrificing, risen Lord. 

Or is it one of those moments when there is perfect silence. As if the whole congregation is holding its breath in expectancy or absolute humility. Those times when no one dares make a sound because a sense of His presence is obvious to all. 

We need not choose between the two. Heaven itself is depicted as embracing both. The question is flawed. 

Well then, what is the holiest place of worship? 

A quiet temple or a relatively noisy, songbird-filled forest? A silent moment before the table remembering the flesh and blood of the Lord Jesus or the noisy splash of the baptistery as someone is buried with Christ Jesus? 

Again, the question is skewed. We don’t have to choose. God is obviously present in both places. 

But… 

When an apostle began building a list of things that came to his Spirit-prompted mind as to the things a Christian must fill their mind with, he settled on one word with which to end his list. And he must have selected this word with especially great care for it not only serves as the consummation of his list, but his use of it would come to be the only time this word was ever used in Scripture.

Euphemos 

It’s extremely difficult to convey this word’s meaning in English. No one word or phrase does the job fully. That’s evident from the variety of ways English translators have attempted to interpret it for us. Following are just a few: Commendable (NRSV); Admirable (NIV, NLT, NJB); Respected (NCV); Proper (CEV); Attractive (REB); Gracious (RSV, NAB); Of good report (KJV, NASB). 

And yet as difficult as this word is to translate, we simply must understand it. For as Christians, we must “think about such things.” So let’s consult some qualified help. 

Years ago, James Moulton and George Milligan co-authored a book which attempted to illustrate the way words used in the New Testament were used in everyday life in New Testament times. In commenting on our word here, euphemos, they noted that the word typically had reference to:

“…the delicacy which guards the lips, that nothing may be expressed in public worship that could disturb devotion or give rise to scandal.” 

Similarly, the New Testament scholar William Barclay observed that it was:

“…specially connected with the holy silence at the beginning of a sacrifice in the presence of the gods.” 

Barclay went on to say that:

“It might not be going to far to say that it describes the things which are fit for God to hear.” 

Speaking things fit for God to hear. Remaining silent before the sacrifice. Refusing to utter anything that could distract or offend. 

That indescribable moment and substance in holy worship when silence says much more than words. 

Those are the things with which to fill your mind. Those silent things which speak much more than words. Those are the things that are “admirable.” They are the things which make us remember:

“The Lord is in His holy temple; let all the earth keep silent before Him.” ( Habakkuk 2:20  NIV) 

God my Father, my mind is a noisy place. In the name of Jesus I pray, hush my mind, and in so doing, fill it with Your presence. Make my mind Your temple, a never-ending place and moment of worship. May I never willfully defile Your holy place or fritter away my time with You there. Amen. And amen.

“…whatever is admirable…think about such things.” ( Philippians 4:8  NIV)

 

Posted: 06/30/2002
URL: http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200206/20020630_mind7.html

Copyright (c) 2002, David Smith. Used by permission.
(c) 1996-2002, Heartlight, Inc.