Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:2
“We are writing these things, loved ones, not only to admonish you but also to remind ourselves. For we are in the same arena and the same contest is set before us. For this reason we should leave behind empty and frivolous thoughts and come to the famous and venerable rule of our tradition. We should realize what is good and pleasing and acceptable before the One who made us. We should gaze intently on the blood of Christ and realize how precious it is to His Father; for when it was poured out for our salvation, it brought the gracious gift of repentance to the entire world.”
Clement of Rome (A.D. 35-99) in his first Letter to the Corinthians 7:1-4.
I write with the same aim as Clement, that is, not to admonish, but to remind.
We are on this round ball called “earth” to remind each other to live for that which is famous and venerable not that which is empty and frivolous.
All you need to do is visit Florida and read the billboards along the freeway to see empty and frivolous.
When we remind ourselves afresh that Christ is risen and done away with our sin and given us a ministry of reconciling the world to Him, it brings us purpose and real joy to whatever days God gives us.
My day includes special visits with two former students and dear friends, Eric Fleshood and Andre Sergeyev, as well as my parents and my brother and his wife. As we find ourselves in the “same arena and the same contest” called life, I hope to encourage, uplift, and inspire each one to leave behind the “empty and frivolous” live for that which is both “famous and venerable.”
How can your interaction with people point them to that which is “famous and venerable?”