As
Christians what do we want to be? Is it enough to be just being good? To be
just good means doing the minimum. But God wants us to be excellent. He wants
us to choose the more excellent way (1 Cor 12:31). To the church at Philippi,
Paul wrote: “That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be
sincere and without offence till the day of Christ” (Php 1:10).
Paul
is asking us to make the right choice. If it is choosing to be good, better,
best, and excellent, he is saying we are to choose the excellent way. We are to
be the very best which is excellent. It’s like a student’s attitude towards
passing an exam. One may be contented with just passing an exam. If he gets 50
marks, he is happy. Another student may want to score a minimum of B grade. He
is happy with 70 marks. The excellent student wants a distinction for all his
papers; he wants 100 marks.
Some
want to do the minimum and go to heaven; that’s not excellent. In life,
oftentimes we have to make choices. It may not be between good and evil; it
could be between good, better, best and excellent. Remember the hymn,
None of Self and All of Thee? Most want some of self and some of God. The
excellent ones want none of self and all of God.
The
mind of Christ is the mind of excellence. It is making the choice to do whatever
is pleasing to God. It is to be children of God in the truest sense. We are not
to be children of God in name only but in thoughts, words, and actions. It
means our lives must be governed by certain principles that glorify God and
show us to be indeed the children of God.
In
Philippians 4:8, Paul lists the following principles that should govern our
lives.
Whatsoever
things are true. The word “whatsoever” means anything and that means it
includes everything. And the first thing that should govern our lives is
truthfulness. Truthfulness is about integrity. A man of integrity is a man of
his words. Not only does he speak the truth, he keeps to his promises.
Whatsoever
things are honest (better translation is honourable). The word properly means
venerable, reverend; then honourable, reputable. It is translated as “grave” in
the KJV (1 Tim 3:8, 11). Referring to the qualifications of deacons and the
wives of elders and deacons, Paul said they must be “grave”. It means
honourable. It means these men and women are esteemed and revered by those with
whom they live.
When
referring to action, the word has reference to what is regarded as worthy of
reputation or honour. Is an action honourable or is it disgraceful? It can also
refer to the attire: is it modest? If it is immodest, it is not honourable.
Whatsoever
things are just. A Christian should be just in all his dealings. Are our
actions upright in all respects. How about our comments and criticisms? Are
they true and fair? Are we guilty of the same sins we condemn in others (Matt
7:1-5).
Whatsoever
things are pure. Whatsoever things are chaste. This refers to chaste lives
and clean hearts and thoughts. Do we have impure thoughts
in our hearts? Impure thoughts are not limited to sexual lusts but also
thoughts of hatred, vengeance, wrath, jealousy, cheating, etc. David says: “Create
in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me” (Psa
51:10).
Our
Lord wants us to govern our hearts: “But those things which proceed out of
the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man” (Matt 15:18).
Whatsoever
things are lovely. The word used here means lovable, and then acceptable,
and pleasing. It is doing things that are lovable and pleasing to others.
Sometimes we have to ask ourselves: Is it a loving thing to do? Is the action
acceptable and pleasing to others? Will it cause offence or bring shame to
self? Kind words and deeds are lovely. Unkind words and deeds are definitely
not lovely.
Whatsoever
things are of good report. It is action well spoken of among men, and so
bringing a good name. What do others think of this action? What do they think
of your behaviour? It includes attire: Does immodest attire bring good report?
It includes behaviour: Does being late for worship bring a good report?
If
there be any virtue. Paul did not suppose that he had given a full
catalogue of the virtues and therefore he adds, that if there is anything else
that has the nature of true virtue in it, the Christian should add it into his
life.
And
if there be any praise. Is anything worthy of praise? The praise is a
consequence of the virtue. He does not intend that the Philippians should
follow after all that the carnal world might praise, but only what is
praiseworthy because it is virtuous.
Think
on these things. Let these be the considerations which guide our thoughts
and direct our motives. The apostle implies that we have the power of governing
our thoughts, and so we are responsible for them. If the thoughts are proper
and good, the outward life will follow.
Thoughts
become words; words become actions; actions become habits; habits become
character; and character becomes destiny. Therefore, let us watch our thoughts:
“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Pro 23:7).
Jimmy Lau
Psa
119:97 Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.
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