What does it mean to be noble? 

The Oxford dictionary defines noble as, “belonging to a hereditary class with high social or political status; aristocratic.

A second Oxford definition: “having or showing fine personal qualities or high moral principles and ideals.”

I typically think of nobility in relation to kings and queens – royalty. 

In his letter to Timothy, Paul describes Jesus as “the King of kings and Lord of lords.” (1 Timothy 6:15). 

Romans 8:16-17 states that “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.”

So, the above dictionary definition says noble is “belonging to a hereditary class….” We are God’s children, heirs of God. Born again, a new creation. Indeed, a new class of people, of noble birth. 

What does nobility look like?

If Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords, then I believe looking at who Jesus is will supply the characteristics / behavior of nobility. 

God is Love; therefore, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7  provides a detailed description of Jesus’ character: 

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs. Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

The second dictionary definition of noble describes how nobility behaves – “having or showing fine personal qualities or high moral principles and ideals.”

Paul wrote letters to communities of new believers to encourage them in their journey. 

To the Philippians, he exhorted, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3)

To the Colossians, “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.” (Colossians 3:12-14)

To the Ephesians, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

As our noble King, Jesus has gone before us. In being born again, in Him, we now have His nature and character, by the Holy Spirit, alive inside of us. He has clothed us “with the garments of salvation, He has covered (us) with the robe(s) of righteousness.” (Isaiah 61:10)

We are “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called (us) out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9)

We are noble.