"Whatever is True"

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:8-9 ESV)

Like the word “therefore,” the word “finally” in Paul’s text forces us to look to the preceding verse to understand his commands in today’s text. In chapter 3, Paul is reminding the brothers in Phillipi to keep “straining towards the goal.” Humbled in Christ’s work in him, Paul reminds the church at Phillipi that neither he nor the church is perfect. He does not forget who he was or what Christ saved him from. Paul also states he, too, strains towards the prize, the “upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (3:1-14).

Later in chapter 3, Paul urges Phillipi to follow him in pursuing righteousness through Christ. He warns of the enemies of the cross and speaks of their ultimate destruction. He does so while reminding these brothers and sisters that they are all citizens of heaven awaiting Christ and the ultimate transformation to eternity.

This finally leads us to today's text, in which Paul addresses our behavior and mentality in Christ. Like the brothers of Phillip, we too are called to think on and imitate Christ in everything we do: “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise.” It is these things that we are to set our sights on, all the while remembering that we are still fallible and fight against demonic principalities who tempt us, setting snares that we may trip and fall in our pursuit of Christ.

This is not an isolated message by Paul. It is a call to the gospel that he sends to all the churches he planted. To the Colossians he said, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” (Colossians 3:1). To the Ephesians he said, “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness, foolish talk, or crude joking, which are out of place; instead, let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.” (Ephesians 5:1-7), and to the church in Corinth, Paul said, “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).

My friend, remember what you were before Christ, but always look up, not back. Look to Christ in all things. Is this a difficult road? Yes, it is narrow and strewn with boulders. It is hard to pass through, and we are always challenged. But Christ lives in us, strengthening and molding us into His image. In Luke 1:37, the angel Gabriel said to Mary:

“For nothing will be impossible with God.”

If you do not know Christ, seek Him now; do not wait. The burden of sin is great; it takes its toll on the mind, body, and spirit. With Christ, His yoke is easy, and His burden is light. (Matthew 11:30). If you have questions about salvation through Christ alone, reach out to us here at In Messiah. We can show you the Scriptures that lead to salvation by faith alone, in Christ alone.

Grace and Peace.