Seeing JESUS in Philippians 4:8-9

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice. And the GOD of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9 

I've read the above quoted Scripture verse hundreds of times but today the Holy Spirit opened up a new understanding of the text to me. I see for the very first time that the words the apostle Paul chose to describe the thoughts that ought to fill the minds of believers daily also aptly describe the person and attributes of JESUS CHRIST.

All Scripture teaches us about these specific attributes of CHRIST JESUS: –

• True – faithful: We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. 1 John 5:20; I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. Revelation 19:11
• Noble – majestic, sovereign: Make a song to the Lord; for he has done noble things... Isaiah 12:5; O Lord, our Lord, …how noble (majestic) is your name in all the earth! Psalm 8:1,9 
• Right – righteous, holy: “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land...” Jeremiah 23:5
• Pure – undefiled, sinless: All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure… and in him there is no sin. 1 John 3:3-5; For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled…Hebrews 7:26
• Lovely – beautiful, pleasing to the senses: One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek:.. to gaze on the beauty of the Lord…Psalm 27:4 ; In that day the Lord of hosts will be a crown of glory (beauty), and a diadem of beauty,…Isaiah 28:5; The Son is the radiance of God’s glory (beauty) and the exact representation of his being…Hebrews 1:3
• Admirable – incomparable in goodness, loving-kindness: The Lord, the Lord,…slow to anger, abounding in love…Exodus 34:6; You are good, and what you do is good…Psalm 119:68; Nevertheless My loving-kindness will I not utterly take from him…Psalm 89:33; “…my love will know no bounds…Hosea 14:4
• Praiseworthy – deserving of acclamation, honor: Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name… Isaiah 12:4; For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise. Psalm 96:4; You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor… Revelation 4:11; …at the name of Jesus every knee should bow (in honor) …Philippians 2:10
• Excellent – exemplary, exceptional: Sing unto the LORD; for he hath done excellent things… Isaiah 12:5; we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice… Job 37:23; Thou art more glorious and excellent than the mountains of prey. Psalm 76:4

Believers ought to meditate daily on the characteristics of GOD’s Son, our LORD and Savior, until with the help of His Holy Spirit our personalities merge and we are one. Such a transformation will bring us great reward in the here and now and for all eternity – the GOD of peace will be with us (Phil. 4:9).

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18

Reflections: Saved for Service

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10

Children of GOD are their Father’s hands and feet on earth, ambassadors for CHRIST the Son, the light of the world whose good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise (the) heavenly Father (Matthew 5:14-16.) Believers, the disciples of CHRIST, are called to works of mercy and compassion towards the lost as well as other believers. We are to respond to GOD’s commandment to love one another (John 13:34;) to serve as JESUS served – with love, compassion, generosity, wisdom and integrity of purpose (Matthew 25:35-40.) 

And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded. Matthew 10:42

Once we do our part GOD will do His. All for His Kingdom, and for His glory, and for all eternity.

#CreatedInCHRISTForGoodWorks #ThinkOnIt #ActOnIt #GODRewardsObedience

True Repentance – Psalm 51

All through the Scriptures, from the Old Testament to Revelation, confession and repentance are given to GOD’s people as the only way to repair relationship with GOD and be truly forgiven of sin.

• For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live! Ezekiel 18:32
• Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. Proverbs 28:13
• Produce fruit in keeping with repentance… Matthew 3:8-10
• Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out… Acts 3:19
• Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Revelation 3:19

According to renowned theologian John Calvin (1509 - 1564) repentance is “not merely the start of the Christian life (but) it is the Christian life.” Believers must grow and mature to a place of joy-giving habit of repentance.

The Bible talks about two types of repentance: a worldly sorrow, which is a check-the-box guilt-relieving kind offered up with an off-handed, “I’m sorry. Forgive me, but if you/he/she/they...”; and a deeply-felt regret of the spirit kind which acknowledges, names and takes full responsibility for wrong-doing. Only the latter pleases GOD as it results in a true heart-change. 

For the kind of sorrow GOD wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death. 2 Corinthians 7:10

John Bunyan (1628 - 1688), Christian Author/Preacher writes, “The difference between true and false repentance lies in this: the man who truly repents cries out against his heart; but the other, as Eve, against the serpent, or something else.”

True repentance has several parts to it.

The best-known Bible model for Christian repentance is King David’s Psalm 51. David shows us what GOD needs form every truly repentant person:

Name and describe your sin Psalm 51:1-3

David does not hold back on admitting that he’s a wicked sinner who is guilty, corrupt, and evil in GOD’s sight. He describes his “iniquity” (immoral behavior,) “transgressions” (rebellion against GOD,) and “sin (all acts contrary to GOD’s law),” each term appropriately defining the wrongs David committed. David committed adultery that produced a child and murdered the woman’s husband to cover it all up (2 Samuel 11)

Appeal to GOD’s mercy Psalm 51:1

David’s first petition was for mercy. He appeals to the character of the GOD he has past experience with – One ready to show “compassion” and “lovingkindness” to His chosen people. We too have access to these same attributes of GOD through Christ JESUS. “…since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, JESUS the Son of GOD,…Let us then approach GOD’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16

Own your stuff without excuses. Psalm 51:4

Sin has a ripple effect. Just like David’s, our sin affects multiple lives and just like David we must know that our greatest offense is against GOD Himself (Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight…) All sin is contrary to GOD’s law and though we seek forgiveness from the person/s we offend ultimately, we are nowhere without our Father’s direct forgiveness.

Invite JESUS in. Psalm 51:7

True repentance is never alone in the heart of any person. It always has a companion—a blessed companion. It is always accompanied by lively faith in our LORD and Savior JESUS CHRIST. Evangelical Anglican Bishop J. C. Ryle (1816 – 1900.) David asks GOD to “cleanse me with hyssop, and I shall be clean,” a reference to the Old Testament covenant blood sacrifice (Exodus 24:8.) We have been given a new covenant cleansing through JESUS’ blood (Hebrews 9:11-22) and we put our faith in its power to work on our behalf.

Allow GOD to heal your brokenness. Psalm 51:8

Be broken before GOD but do not remain in that state. JOY and PEACE are what GOD promised His people in CHRIST. David’s pain from sin is described as a physical ache – his very “bones have been crushed.” But he asks GOD to heal him and restore their relationship to a place of “joy and gladness,” the place where the children of GOD rightly live.

Yield to the Holy Spirit Psalm 51:10-12

Someone said to me recently with tears, “I feel like I’ve disappointed GOD.” You can only feel like this if the Holy Spirit is working in you and you respond in grief, aware that you’ve done what GOD hates. David recognizes the value of the Holy Spirit in bringing him to a brokenness over sin and does not want to lose that, “Do not…take your Holy Spirit from me.” Listening to GOD’s Spirit will both save you from yourself and give you peace.

End with Worship, commit to a testimony. Psalm 51:13-15

David completes his repentance appeal with joyous praise “Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise” and a vow to share GOD’s goodness to encourage others to repentance and restoration, “I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you.” We too must share our testimony of GOD’s restoring mercy. It’s the gospel, GOD’s grace and goodness, that brings people to repentance, leading to salvation (Romans 2:4.)

Conclusion

Sin is a heavy burden for any child of GOD to carry, if for no other reason than it robs us of intimacy with our Father. But that relationship is restored easily by returning to Him with a broken and contrite heart.

King David threw himself on the mercy of his GOD with genuine appeals for forgiveness, a renewed heart and a joyful spirit.

That same GOD is also our Father, compassionate and merciful. He will forgive us too from the bondage of sin unto obedience that frees us to enjoy Him fully again.

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy GOD and Father, we thank You that Your loving kindness, mercy and compassion know no measure. We confess all sin of commission and omission, that we have grieved Your Holy Spirit and we ask you to forgive us and cleanse us by the blood of Your Son, JESUS Christ. Restore us and make us to know your joy once again and increase our desire to love and obey You more so that we sin against You less. Be our Rock and our salvation. To you, Father, be dominion and power for ever and ever. In JESUS name we ask this. Amen.

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

Reflections: We Were All Prodigals Once

"So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him."

LUKE 15:20 (NIV)

Dear friend, your present suffering is built on the sin of vanity and pride, and need not continue. 

You have an amazing, forgiving and perfect Father waiting to welcome you back to where you belong and remove all stain of sin from you. Why delay? Peace, joy, healing and true love and joy (not a temporary happiness) can be yours...a whole new and abundant life!! 

And in case you think no one cares, know that the angelic hosts will celebrate you in heaven if you return, while GOD has prepared an earthly Family whose members have been there, done that, and are ready to receive and support you with understanding and loving care!!

Go to your Father! 

Today can be the day of your salvation! Today can be your day of healing!

#ThinkOnIt #ActOnIt #NothingToLose #EverythingToGain