Set an example.. in purity

 OK guys, I have been busting for this post! It's so exciting!!

 So it started when I had the idea for this post serries. As I've mentioned, I started by checking out the words in my concordance. All of them meant just what they say in our modern English Bibles. All but one. All but PURITY!

 The Greek word for purity is hagneia. By delving into the Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (yes, I know it sounds terribly scholarly and important, but it really is a handy thing to have around) I discovered that the root word of hagneia is hagnós. And there it was, written as though almost insignificant, but truly sensational to whoever knows it. The original meaning of hagnós. Oh girls, can you guess what the original meaning of hagnós is?? Here it is:

‘That which awakens awe.’

Aaaaaahhhhhh!!!!!!! Isn't that perfectly splendid! The original meaning of purity is 'that which awakens awe!' Doesn't that give you a sense of what purity is really supposed to look like? It's beautiful, girls; stunningly, awe-inspiringly gorgeous! Oh, I know it may not seem like it in the world today. But there is a stunning beauty in a girl who is both pure in the Lord's sight and radiating purity from her life. I know. I have seen it. It's been said about me too. (Yeh, I know, that sounds like I'm boasting about what others have said about me. But I'm not. I just happen to be part of an example where people see the beauty of purity and dedication to God. I sure don't have it all together!) 

 Isn't that encouraging! So girls, when you hop of the computer and go into the world to shine God's light and purity, remember that it's beautiful. Awe-awakening, in fact.

Cassie xoxoxo

Set an example... in faith

{Sorry that I couldn't post on Saturday! I truly was busy. And it has taken a while to gather my thoughts for this post.}

 Faith. Greek word: pistis. Dentition: trust, belief, faithfulness. I looked into this word a bit. Found the verse in a dozen or more different English translations of the Bible. Went to the trusty Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (it's not actually as impressive or scary as it sounds). There actually wasn't much that helped me clarify or flesh out the idea of faith. So I brought it back to my instincts. What I think of when I hear the word faith. What I think Paul meant when he told Timothy to 'set an example for the believers in faith.'

 First of all, I think it means the simple faith that children have in God. An informed, but sweet, uncomplicated faith of a child in his or her heavenly Father. Luke 18:17 says, "Truly I tell you, whoever will not receive the kingdom of heaven like a little child will never enter it." And while we are to mature in Christ (Colossians 1:28, Ephesians 4:13-15, Hebrews 5:14, 1 Peter 2-3), I think we should retain a simple faith in God - faith that He is good, that He works everything for His glory and our good, that He is who He says He is, etc.

 Second, I think it also means that we are to set an example in our faithfulness. We are to be set-apart for God, faithful to His ways. We are not to be one of those 'Christians' who claim to be in Christ, but are unfaithful to Him and really live in darkness, not light. Instead, we are to be faithful to God and His work in us. Faithful to Him no matter what the rest of the world is doing. Faithful to setting an example for believers.

Cassie xoxoxo

Set an example... in love

Love. Set an example for the believers in love. The Greek word agape means an active love for God and for other people, believers, even enemies. But what does that look like? I think the key is this:

 "This is how we know what love is: 

Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. 

And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters."

1 John 3:16

Love IS Jesus laying down his life for us. Love IS us laying down our lives for others. Love is putting other people first, like Jesus did on the cross. It's not just a feeling. It's a verb. It means deciding to lay down our self, our wants, our needs, our 'rights,' our emotions, our LIVES for others. I'm not saying to deny yourself every pleasure or good thing (James 1:17). I'm not saying your have to be the next Mother Teresa and go live amongst the utterly poor in some of the world's worst slums. But I am saying that we need to be willing to give up ourselves to love another, no matter where we are. Because that's what love IS.

Cassie xoxoxo

Set an example... In conduct

 This one... well, it's pretty plain and simple. We are to set an example for the believers in how we act. What do you reckon that looks like? Well, it means we are to act like Christ. That includes being modest in our actions, acting with dignity, kindness, love, graciousness, joy and humility. I'm sure you can think of another dozen adjectives that describe how Christ would act. The hard part is actually putting it into practice...

Cassie xoxox