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
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