October Passage: Philippians 4:2-9
I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the Gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.
Rejoice in the Lord Always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be know to everyone.
The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
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. (ESV)
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Throughout each month, we will post short articles to give some depth of understanding regarding our text. Today we will discuss...
Turn Your Mind Upon Jesus
There is a wonderful old hymn written by Helen Howarth Lemmel, called “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”
The chorus of the hymn goes:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
That chorus helps tune our hearts into the portion of Philippians that we will look at in this article. Paul writes:
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.
In the prior portion of this chapter, Paul gives us instructions for the Christian life that are nearly impossible in our broken world. He wants us to agree and avoid conflict. When there is conflict, he urges us as a whole church family to help one another find restoration. He calls us to rejoice - ALWAYS!
And, as we’ve said, Paul roots all of the directions in Gospel truth. The Gospel is our guide in all things, to the praise and glory of God.
Now, to put a finer point on it, Paul helps us re-center our minds, which helps our hearts, which guides our words, actions and life. Paul simply tells us to think about Jesus.
You may read the text and say, “No, Paul never mentions Jesus. Paul says think about what is honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent and praise-worthy.”
Yes, we would respond, and all of those things find their clearest definition when we look to Jesus. Is anything or anyone more honorable than Jesus? Has anyone fulfilled the justice of God more than Jesus? Has anyone been more pure or blameless than our perfect, spotless Lamb, Jesus? Who or what deserves to be commended for their efforts and their love and their power more than Jesus? Has anyone or anything ever done ANYTHING with more excellence or been more excellent in and of themselves more than Jesus (even the “excellent” things that we look at in awe like stars, oceans and mountains are “excellent” because they were created and are sustained so excellently by Jesus)? Who is more worthy of praise than Jesus?!
Paul is jealous to keep our thoughts, and hearts on Jesus at all times, and in all of his writings. Why? Because in this broken world, there will be times - dark times - when people will be far from you, when money will be tight, when meals will be sparse, and on and on… But, even in the most dark and desperate times, no Christian will be without hope; no Christian will lack a cause for joy; no Christian will be left powerless and defeated if — IF! — we can keep our mind set on the imperishable, unbreakable, unshakable, beauty and perfection and future promise of Jesus.
Jesus lived the perfect life in your place and Jesus died the sacrificial death to save you from the wrath to come and Jesus is preparing a place for you RIGHT NOW so that one day you can join Him in ETERNITY. What is more true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent or praise worthy than that?
Have you been distracted and dragged down by the things of this world? Have politics, bad health, loneliness, financial struggles, relational strife, job woes, school stress or other troubles sapped away your joy and power and missional effectiveness? Have the little, temporary things of this life become the only thing on your mind instead of the Glory to be revealed?
Turn your eyes upon Jesus, TODAY
Look full in His wonderful face, TODAY
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, TODAY
In the light of His glory and grace.
Don’t wait. Look to Jesus today. When someone around you has a problem. Don’t run their gaze to a worldly “fix” TURN THEIR EYES UPON JESUS. He really is THE solution.
