Tuesday, 3 July 2018

Life is full of choices

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Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable - if there is any virtue and if there is anything worthy of praise - dwell on these things." (TLV)

What does it mean to dwell? Usually it means "live there". In other words, spend your time there. Take your shoes off there. Hang out there. Enjoy being there. Take pleasure in being there. Go to sleep there and wake up there. Own it!

Whatever is true and not false. Don't lie to yourself.

Whatever is honorable and will not bring dishonor. I like to say, "Only the best for God's people." Maybe that should be changed to, "Only the best of God's principles for God's people."

Whatever is just (justice is supposed to be blind), pure (not polluted with the world's values of selfishness), lovely (the opposite of lovely can go in two directions, ugly or hate filled; either way, avoid them both), commendable, (Would God give you a medal for it? If not, it's not included in commendable.) do that.

Virtue, now that's an interesting word. It means a high moral standard. Lastly there is praiseworthy. Whatever is praiseworthy ... make these things your life's work.

1 Peter 1:14-15 "Like obedient children, do not be shaped by the cravings you had formerly in your ignorance. Instead, just like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in everything you do."

This was the message of the Protestant Reformation, a call to personal holiness. Let your light so shine, that we all will agree with the 24 elders who fall down before the Throne and declare ...

Revelation 4:11 "Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, For You created all things, and because of Your will they existed and were created!"