Whatsoever Things Part 3
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things (Philippians 4:8).”
Whatsoever Things are Pure
“Purity” is a beautiful word. It conjures up the image of white, unsullied snow; of sparkling, clear water; of a snowdrop against a background of brown mud–something clean and undefiled, both inside and outside.
We live in a world that is full of impurity in many forms. It assaults our ears, eyes, and mind constantly. Yet, within every believer lives the One Who is pure. He can give us the strength to purify our lives and keep them pure. It starts, of course, in our minds. Wherefore, He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high Priest became us, Who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from inners, and made higher than the heavens (Hebrews 7:26).
If you want something pure to think on, meditate on Jesus Christ. And–this should come as no surprise–His word. Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it (Psalm 119:140). We will eventually begin to love what we think and focus on. And as we come to love that which is pure in His sight, the pull of that which is impure will become less. It is the desire of the Lord that we become pure and holy, as He is. The process of sanctification will finally have an end when we see His face.
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure (1 John 3:1-3).
The anticipation of seeing Christ, of the day when this flesh will finally be done away with, causes us to seek purity now. Whatsoever things are pure, think on these things.
Whatsoever Things are Lovely.
Lovely–exquisitely beautiful. These words were spoken of our Savior, our “Bridegroom”: His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem (Song of Solomon 5:16). Altogether lovely–in every way. His words are sweet.
To call Him lovely seems almost paradoxical. For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him (Isaiah 53:2). Yet, later we read, For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty (Zechariah 9:17)!
Beautiful–because of Who He is! How beautiful are His nail-pierced hands. Beautiful because of His eternal love, His amazing grace, His shining purity, His perfect justice, His infinite longsuffering, His matchless glory. Beautiful because He is the Son of God, the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world, Immanuel–God with us. Prince of peace, King of Kings, our Great High Priest, our Savior. Beautiful–because of the cross and the empty tomb.
Yes, He is our Beloved and He is altogether lovely. The words of His lips are beautiful, sweet, precious. The works of His hands, seen in nature, are so beautiful. Although there is much ugliness and evil in this world, there is also such beauty. A velvet rose petal, a sunset sky gilded with pastels, a crystal clear mountain lake…the evidence is all over that God loves beauty and that He is lovely.
Whatsoever is in keeping with His beautiful character, the creation of His hands, and His holy words…whatsoever things are lovely, think on these things.