TEMPERATE AND MODERATE!

 

Wednesday, December 30, 2020

 

TEMPERATE AND MODERATE!

 

1 Cor 9:25

25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

 

Phil 4:5-7

5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

 

           Both words in our contemplation this morning have been used to refer to balance and self control regarding eating and drinking but there is more to these words in Scripture.

 

           The Greek word for temperate is egkrateuomai which means to exercise self restraint. In Paul’s reference to the Corinthians, it refers to athletic discipline. The athlete avoids certain activities, food, and drink in order to win the race. The prize was a laurel wreath worn as a crown and it soon withered and was good for nothing. Paul reasons that the Christian’s crown is even more worthy of self-discipline.

 

The Greek word for “moderation” in our text is epieikes (ep-ee-i-kace'); and means appropriate, (by implication) mild: gentle, moderation, patient. (From Strong’s Concordance)

 

The word epieikes is of very extensive signification; it means the same as epieikeia, mildness, patience, yieldingness, gentleness, clemency, moderation, unwillingness to litigate [go to court] or contend; but moderation is expressive enough as a general term. "Moderation," says Dr. Macknight, "means meekness under provocation, readiness to forgive injuries, equity in the management of business, candour in judging of the characters and actions of others, sweetness of disposition, and the entire government of the passions."

·       from Adam Clarke's Commentary

 

This word is used ONLY ONCE in our English New Testament! It is coupled with the idea that the Lord is returning soon … actually at hand or at the door. So it is explained in the Amplified New Testament.

 

Phil 4:5

5 Let all men know and perceive and recognize your unselfishness (your considerateness, your forbearing spirit). The Lord is near [He is coming soon].  AMPLIFIED

 

The idea is not so much CONTROL but of YIELDEDNESS. To yield to a force greater than myself is surrender. To yield to a force equal to me is strategic. To yield to a force weaker than myself is grace!

 

Today you may be forced to yield to a force greater than yourself. Perhaps it may be an illness or circumstance beyond your control. You may also have an occasion to yield to an equal to show courtesy to another. You may also have an opportunity to yield to someone weak, perhaps a child or someone handicapped. This is grace.

 

Dear Lord, let me live today in the light of your soon coming. AMEN