The Real Test of Nobility
"Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they
received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so." (Acts 17:11)
Paul and Silas' teaching in Thessalonica caused such an uproar that the believers there sent the two missionaries away, fearing for their lives. They traveled down the road to the next town, Berea, where they began teaching and proclaiming the gospel of Christ in the synagogue there, as well.
Luke calls those who listened to their preaching in Berea "more noble." The Greek word translated "noble" is a word that means "of high standing" or "of a higher class." The word was used to distinguish those of the upper class of society from those below them.
Now, we know that God does not make those kind of distinctions between upper and lower classes, but He does say that, in some way, these were "more noble." What made them of higher standing? They "received the word with all eagerness" and they "examined the Scriptures daily" to confirm the validity of what Paul and Silas were teaching.
What is an indicator of true nobility in the eyes of the Lord? Not social class or ethnicity or heritage, but how one values the Word of the Lord! Do you have an eagerness to hear from God? Do you interrogate the Scriptures to get to the truth? Are you in the Word daily so that you can recognize the counterfeits of the world? Join the ranks of nobility!
"Put false ways far from me and graciously teach me your law! I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your rules before me."
(Psalm 119:29-30)
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