This past Sunday I had the privilege to preach two sermons from Philippians 4:8. The first sermon covered the command to “Think” and the importance that God, in Scripture, places on the mind and godly thinking, something that can only be done through God’s grace. The second sermon looked at the list of things God, through his apostle Paul, gives us to meditate on. Here’s the verse:
Philippians 4:8 (ESV) — 8 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.
This verse, and the command found therein, is part of several closing exhortations given by Paul – Rejoice in the Lord (4:4), let your reasonableness be known to all men (4:5), don’t be anxious but pray (4:6-7), think (our verse) and do (4:9). It’s also important to note that these commands are interconnected – meaning that missing one will effect the others. For example, if we don’t meditate on things that are true we are more likely to be anxious and find it hard to rejoice in the Lord.
This brings me to one of those Monday morning “why didn’t I say that in the sermon last night” moments. Mondays that follow Sundays where I preach historically are days of spiritual let-down. This Monday wasn’t much different. As one who loves a bit of nostalgia now and then, I found myself looking back at my life. In and of itself that isn’t bad, for if i looked at my life through the lens of what God has graciously done in my life I would have the opportunity to meditate ultimately on the character of God. Alas, it did not take me long however to begin focusing on all the mistakes and mess-ups that litter my life and before long spiritual depression had almost set in. That’s when God reminded me of the passage I had just preached on. Here I was giving significant brainpower to meditating on and dwelling on something does not even begin to fit into the categories that Paul gives.
One could say, well at least what you’re meditating on was true…it actually happened, but in focusing on my sin and not the grace of God that forgave that sin through the gospel of Jesus Christ, I am at best focusing on a half-truth. And as for the rest of that list, there is nothing honorable or dignified in my sin but what of God’s honor in extending grace and mercy to an undeserving sinner! To think of the justice my sin deserves must drive me to look at the cross where Christ met the demands of a Holy and Just God regarding my sin. Sin and purity do not mix, but now when God sees me He sees the purity of Christ – His righteousness clothing me. My sin is not lovely nor attractive nor commendable, but the grace of God in Christ Jesus is the so lovely and attractive that it should drive us to commend it to everyone we come in contact with.
And so it became clear – Meditating on my own sin is a violation of the exhortation given in Philippians 4:8. And then I began kicking myself for not including that in the sermon the night before. Ah….Mondays.
Titus 2:11–14 (ESV) — 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
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