Location, Location, Location!!

GREEK WORD WITH ENGLISH TRANSLITERATION: χωρίς  (choris)

PRONUNCIATION:  kho-REECE

STRONG’S CONCORDANCE #: 5565

MEANING: to be besides something else; without; outside of; by itself

ENGLISH WORDS DERIVED FROM: chorion (this is the membrane that exists during pregnancy to separate the mother from her infant child

BACKGROUND OF WORD (ETYMOLOGY): with its root word this word literally means "without land"; in a spiritual sense came to mean "lacking"

HOW TRANSLATED IN KJV AND/OR ESV:  without;

# OF TIMES USED IN THE GREEK NEW TESTAMENT: 41

VERSES IN THE BIBLE WHERE GREEK WORD USED:

Hebrews 11:6-7 - "And without (χωρίς) faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him."

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

    

All over the world, the golden rule of real estate is location, location, location. Property situated in the best areas is most desirable because it has the greatest value and demands the highest prices. Even though residences in other areas may be more beautiful and even have larger yards, they simply can't demand the same high prices as residences situated in better locations.

My family and I live in the Atlanta area (for the second time).  Initially we lived closer to Atlanta proper than we do now.  Back then I also worked just inside the city limits of Atlanta.  As we began to look for housing we found very quickly that housing “outside” the city was much less expensive.  But the drawback was the commute. 

This second time around we moved much further out and the housing is even less expensive.  However, to see my kidney specialist I often have to go into the city of Atlanta.  Where we live there are beautiful country homes at a fraction of the cost of what one pays inside the city.  As I drive back into the city after looking at these country homes, I started thinking about the contrast between living inside and outside of the city. As I pondered this subject, I found my mind going to Hebrews 11:6, which says, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him....”

The word “without” comes from the Greek word ‎choris‎ (χωρίς), which means to be outside of something, such as someone who lives outside the perimeters of a city. It is a comparison between being outside or inside something — for example, in the house or out of the house; in the yard or out of the yard; or in the car or out of the car. The word ‎choris ‎depicts someone who is out of, not in, a specific location.

Because this word is used in connection with faith, the writer of Hebrews is letting us know that we can live in faith or out of faith. This means faith must be a real place that has borders, perimeters, and boundaries. Just as you can live in the city or out of the city, you can live in faith or outside of faith. The determining factor is your obedience to the assignment God has given you. God wants you to be located at the address of faith — for this is the location He deems the most valuable and profitable for your life.

Hebrews 11:6 could be accurately rendered:  “When you live outside of faith — living beyond its boundaries and perimeters — you make it impossible to please Him....”

CHALLENGE FOR THE DAY:

Please today make a commitment to live INSIDE OF FAITH.  If you have never done so for the first time, why not today place your trust AND faith in Jesus Christ and Him alone.  If you have already professed Christ, make a commitment today to live INSIDE OF FAITH in all your daily activities.  Commit THIS day unto the Lord. 

PRAYER OF THE DAY:

Lord, help me stick with the assignment You have given me for my life. I know that is where I am supposed to be — and I know that is what I am supposed to be doing. Forgive me for vacillating back and forth, in and out, backward and forward. I am asking You to help me become single-minded, concentrated, and focused in my determination never to move out of faith again. I want to live at the address of faith, for I know that is where I will please You the most. Holy Spirit, empower me to push aside every distraction of the devil and to remain fixed and focused on doing exactly what God has instructed me to do. I pray this in Jesus' name! Amen.