"Familiarity Breedeth Contempt"

A much quoted verse needs a little adjustment...

We are all familiar with the verse which warns us against becoming too friendly with others. Theologians, Bible teachers, and Christian laymen have quoted it as a vital lesson on relationships.... It is, "Familiarity Breedeth Contempt". The application of this verse means, do not become too close to or allow anyone else to become too close to you. There is just one thing wrong with embracing that verse as a divine caution. It is not in the Bible. H. Rider Haggard said it and Mark Twain Quoted it, but God did not. The nearest thing to it is the statement, of Jesus, to his hometown detractors, 
    "And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house." Matt.13:57.     This is an absolute fact. Haggard put it this way in The People Of The Mist,  "If no man is a hero to his valet de chamber, much less can he remain a god for long in the eyes of a curious woman. Here, as in other matters, familiarity breeds contempt."

Jesus, Himself, experienced this, not unusual, human response to the commonality factor of the familiar. Most of those who had known Jesus as he grew up in Nazareth couldn't seem to transcend his visible humanity and see beyond His flesh to what He really was ... their sinlessly perfect Messiah, Savior.      
"And he went out from thence, and came into his own country.... And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. " Mark 6:1-4.

It is a strange phenomenon that preachers, politicians, actors, athletes and famous people, in general, are usually held in the highest regard by those who know them the least. Their family and close friends may love them more, but see them more accurately, as a person .... imperfect with faults and weaknesses. Seldom does anyone worship anyone they know well. The fact is, we are all equally human with varying degrees of imperfection ... but all imperfect ... except Jesus.    "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." Heb.4:15.

So, the Apostle Paul plainly declares that God is true, but every man is, to some degree, large or small, a liar. Rom.3:4.     ".... Let God be true, but every man a liar...."  "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Rom.3:23. RB