Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Philippians 4:8 KJV
Paul writes to the church in Philippi, charging them on various issues, ranging from the benefits of the new birth, to the power of the cross. Some of the great blessings that accrue to us as children of God are laid out in the entire letter and today's extract seeks to emphasis the power and place of thoughts in our walk with God. That is one part of our lives hidden from public view, so the only thing men can see and criticise is the product that flows out from those thoughts. Who am I, or better still, what are my thoughts? What are the things I have made up my mind to feed on, and what am I storing up over time?
If I will be careful for nothing, the secret is in the things that hold my heart. If I will be able to lay out my fears and concerns to God in prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, my heart must be totally given over to God. I cannot flow out unhindered if there are issues that have taken over my heart. And it is not enough to settle for just anything just to keep my heart busy, but it has to be the right focus. Today's extract lays out very clearly what that right focus must be.
It is my responsibility, under God's leading, to filter what my senses pick up, so that I can choose the right things to focus on. It means then that without God's help, I will struggle to follow what is right. The natural man is drawn to error; he flows naturally to the things the old nature loves. I need God to help me know what is right, and it is not a wonder that most of the things I am asked to focus on are things that line up with God's nature. Today's piece is even addressed to 'brethren', who share common allegiance to Christ and who daily depend on him for power and grace to live right.
When my heart is right, my life and its offering and impact will be right. Check out the qualifications for the things that should hold my heart and my constant attention: true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, with virtue and praise. You see, before it gets a good report on the outside, or before it appeals to people, it has to first make a mark on the inside through honesty and purity. It is the inner impression that leads to outer impact. The picture is not complete without the harmony between the outside and the inside. It is my thought life that drives my life's pursuits and priorities. If I will be all that God made, gifted, placed, planted and pointed me to be, the key lies in the things my heart holds on to. What are those things in your own heart? What of mine? God's time of favour is here.
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