Meditate on these things

"Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable — if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy — dwell on these things".

                                                                            Philippians 4:8   CSB

When Paul wrote this verse, he was encouraging us to consider that this is an excellent description of Jesus. Let's break the verse down:

Truth  Jesus is the truth, always has been and always will be. Whatever He tells us can be relied on. He will never lead us astray. He is for the truth, lives for the truth and wants us to be the truth in Him. It is the only way,

Honourable  Basically this is being noble of character. If only we can take this on board, people will flock to us because, the world is dishonourable. People, even though they probably don't realise it, are searching for this quality.

Just  Jesus stands for justice. This is why He died on the cross because the world was unjust and in Him dying for our sin, He gave us the chance to live in the same manner

Pure  This means to have no sin, which describes Jesus fully. The word pure is associated in Greek writing as a word for Holy, sacred and immaculate. He gave us the opportunity to live this way by accepting us unto Himself. He helps us daily to live this way. 

Think about the others characteristics of Jesus; He is lovely and it is lovely to know Him and realise that one day we will meet Him face to face. He is commendable and of a good report. Wouldn't you like someone to think this about yourself - 'He or she is commendable and they really live up to what they profess?' That would be an awesome thing for someone to say about you, wouldn't it? Well, they will if you live closer to Jesus, walk with Him daily and get to know him even better than you do. Like I say, you are the bible to unbelievers.

He is praiseworthy. Just think, when we praise Jesus, it is like the devil runs away with his hands over his ears. He can't stand this. Praise stops satan in his tracks, so, we need to praise Jesus more and more.

In verse 8 of the NKJV, 'If there is any virtue.' The word Virtue is a rare word in the New Testament, but generously used in Greek writings. In the Greek it is a word called aerate, which means moral excellence as described in the CSB interpretation above.

So, to meditate on these things is to, deliberate, evaluate and compute over and over. Can I suggest that you do this, if you don't already?

If you don't know Jesus or, have fallen away, why not say this prayer right now:

Lord Jesus, I have sinned   

I ask you to forgive me and be my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Spirit and give me a brand new start today.

In Jesus' Name. Amen'

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