Monday, March 3, 2014

Peculiarities

"He gave Himself for us,
that He might redeem us from all iniquity,
and purify unto Himself a peculiar people..."
Titus 2:14

So what is it that makes us "peculiar"?  Is it the things that come before this verse?  They could be considered rather radical to some these days.

Older men should be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience... (v2)

Younger men should be sober-minded, showing a pattern of good works in all things, showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, and a sound mind... (v6-8)

Older women should be reverent in behavior; not slanderers; not given to much wine; teachers of good things; and guides for young women... (v3)

Younger women should learn to love their husbands and children, be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their husbands... (v5)

All of us speaking only things proper for sound doctrine. (v1)

And why?

That the word of God may not be blasphemed (v5).  That the enemy might have nothing evil to say of you (v8). 

Now the tricky part for some of you might be figuring out if you are young or old.  Well if you're not sure, go ask someone who's older.  Or younger.  That should clear it right up for you.

But once you've decided which group you belong to, then it's time to look to see if that description fits you.  And if it does, congratulations!  You're peculiar!

If you don't think it quite describes you, then I'm afraid you're not quite peculiar enough, and you need to work on that.

It's rather peculiar to be thought of as peculiar, isn't it?  But as Christians, we're supposed to stand out.  We're supposed to be set apart.

And then there's this:  sometimes we are supposed to be peculiar even amongst those the world calls peculiar.  That one's hard.  Sometimes you find yourself at odds even with other Christians, and needing to set yourself apart even from them, if their walk is not what it should be.

Now, you might be thinking that "odd or unusual" is not quite what you'd like to be, but if so, then you're looking at the wrong definition of the word, and I would direct you to its origin.  It's from the Latin, peculiaris, meaning "private property".

If you are His, then you, my friend are peculiar.  Isn't that awesome?

Now get out there and be as peculiar as you can be!


~ "Let no one despise you" ~
Titus 2:15
~

2 comments:

  1. Very interesting post! I'm sure you are aware that peculiar in the Bible doesn't mean odd the way we define odd! You reminded me of a little word study I did on my own.

    In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word סְגֻלָּה (cĕgullah) is found in Exodus 19:5, Deuteronomy 7:6, Deuteronomy 14:2, Deuteronomy 26:18, First Chronicles 29:3, Psalm 135:4, Ecclesiastes 2:8, and Malachi 3:17. The word means purchased possession, private property, valued treasure, special. The KJV translates cĕgullah (Strong's H5459) as peculiar treasure (3x), peculiar (2x), special (1x), jewel (1x), particular treasure (1x).

    In the New Testament, the Greek word περιούσιος (periousios) appears in six places -- Ephesians 1:14, First Thessalonians 5:9, Second Thessalonians 2:14, Titus 2:14, Hebrews 10:39, and First Peter 2:9. It can mean a preserving or preservation (as of the soul), an obtaining, a saving. The KJV translates periousios (Strong's G4047) as purchased possession (1x), to obtain (1x), obtaining (1x), saving (1x), peculiar (2x).

    Much food for thought there.

    So, we are not just "odd" (in the sense of different from or out of step with the world, which we of course are) but "special" or "valued" or "God's own property"....

    Several years ago I wrote a song called "The Overcomers" that has these words:

    Jesus died on the cross for our salvation
    Was raised again for our justification
    Now we are a chosen generation
    A royal priesthood, a holy nation.

    We are a people peculiarly His own
    For we are members of His body, flesh and bone
    He has granted we shall sit upon His throne
    The overcomers, the people of God.

    Satan's lies and deceitfulness enthralled us
    But sin's exceeding sinfulness appalled us
    Out of darkness into His marv'lous light God called us
    O Lord, we praise You -- in love You called us.

    We are a people peculiarly Your own
    For we are members of Your body, flesh and bone
    You have promised we shall sit upon Your throne
    The overcomers, the people of God.

    With an everlasting love, O Lord, You crave us
    And on Calv'ry's cross Lord Jesus died to save us
    On the palms of Your own hands You did engrave us
    You sent Your Spirit -- new life You gave us.

    Lord, we are Your people, peculiarly Your own
    For we are members of Your body, flesh and bone
    You have promised we shall sit upon Your throne
    The overcomers, the people of God.




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  2. Oh, I love that! Thank you for sharing! Just this week we are studying 1 Peter 2, source of that wonderful verse, "a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation..." A very interesting study, and a beautiful song. Thank you for sharing with me!

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