Did you ever wonder how some of our months got their names?
According to farmersalmanac.com, there are three sources: Greek and Roman deities, Roman rulers, and numbers. The month August derives its name from the Roman ruler Augustus, who was the nephew of Julius Caesar.
His name means “respected and impressive”. But was he? Well, apparently, he was! Because he expanded Rome’s border and is credited with passing laws to encourage marital stability and renew religious practices. He also improved Rome’s infrastructure and beautified the city.
But not everyone accomplishes such great deeds, or has a month named after them. As a matter of fact, most people live lives that appear quite ordinary, and then they are gone. Yet, they have left behind a legacy that some may argue is of greater importance than the one left by Augustus.
You see, in their quiet and unassuming way, they lived out these scriptures:
• Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor (Romans 12:10)
• Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others (Philippians 2:4).
• Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony (Colossians 3:12-14).
• But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful (Luke 6:35-36).
• Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares (Hebrews 13:2).
• Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear (Ephesians 4:29).
The world often measures the value of one’s life based on their accomplishments, and while in some ways this is understandable, God’s Word tells us that there is much more to consider when assessing the impact of one’s life. For example, if we just consider the six verses above, such a person loved greatly honored others regularly, extended compassion frequently, forgave routinely, offered mercy, cared for strangers, and spoke graciously throughout their lives.
Now that is someone who is impressive, and worthy of respect. They may not have a month named after them, but they have stored up for themselves treasures in heaven and brought glory to God.
Pastor Rob