in thought by feeding upon the hills of God. Whatsoever things are lovely, is the next suggestion for the menu of the mind. I saw a motto on someone’s wall, (I’ve forgotten where), which read, “Be kind to your enemies, for after all, you made them.” This word “lovely,” in the original, is found nowhere else in the New Testament, and it has reference to that which inspires love. All about us, it is easy to see the many faults of others. Why, I could tell you right now some things about other people which bother me. But, I need to be reminded of the fact that they no doubt can see things in me which are un pleasant, and which do not inspire Christian love. The book of Philippians, from which we take today’s meditation, evidentally was not written to correct any poor interpretation of doctrine, it is rather the “joy book.” I see, however, what could be the beginning of trou ble. In chapter two Paul states, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, “be likeminded,” and again, “let this mind be in you.” Then in the second verse of this fourth chapter, he writes, “I be seech Euodias and Syntyche, that they be of the same mind.” There had evi dentally been a falling out of these two church women. I once heard the women called, Odious and Soon-Tou chy, for the mention of the one’s name to the other no doubt brought some sarcastic remark. What we need in our relationships is to magnify the graces in the other’s life, and to minimize the failures. Somehow I feel this last word or suggestion for the mind’s menu is one of the most needful exhortations. It states, “whatsoever things are of good report.” That is, not thinking about gossip or scandal. You know, a scandal is the only thing that has to be bad in order to be good. I was interested to find out where the word “gossip” ori ginated. Years ago, a person who rep resented you at baptismal rites, and gave an account of your behaviour to the church leaders was called a god- sib, or pertaining to God. But today, it has been changed from a person who
knows all about you, to a person who tells all about you! A gossip you know is like an old shoe whose tongue will never stay in place! The Apostle concludes by saying, “If there be,” the words should rather be translated, “since there is virtue and praise, think on these things. “You may not be able to keep the vultures from flying over your head, but it is a sure thing you can keep them from making a nest in your hair! As I said at the start of our discussion on Philippians 4:8, in days of great national and in ternational strain and stress, our minds must feast upon the things of God, or we will find confusion, frustration, and failure to be our lot. How blessed to read, however, that when we do think on these things we enjoy not only the peace of God, but that the God of peace is our companion through all of life’s perplexing vicisitudes. My thology of Ulyses tells of ancient mar iners whose ships were being destroyed on the rocky coasts of the fog bound isle where the beautiful sirens sat and sang. So bewitching was their plain tive airs that seaman would completely forget their charted courses and set their ships rather for the sound of fa bled maidens. Some Captains would try to stuff the ears of their sailors with wax or some other substance, but all to no avail. Finally, Orpheus broke the spell of the Sirens. He learned to play a melody more pure arid entranc ing than that of the maidens, and by hearing it, the mariners were no long er interested in the foreign sound. My friend, just religious interest will not suffice. This will not set a fort around the citadel of your mind. Merely at tending Sunday school and church is not enough. It is only when our lives are indwelled by the Holy Spirit of God, and that happens the moment we accept Jesus Christ as Saviour, that we have the power to think on these things . . . whatsover is true, honest, fair, pure, lovely and of good report. God grant that it may be so in each of our lives this day and all our days until Christ returns and these earthly shadows flee away. 31
Made with FlippingBook Online newsletter