Jesus: The Fulfillment of Philippians 4:8
I feel like every once in a while I need to remind anyone reading this that this blog has always been, first and foremost, my form of journaling. Not every detail is shared, but much of my journey, study, prayers, and struggles have found their way here. Even the name — His Path, Daily — reminds me of what this is all about: striving to walk HIS Path, daily.
Too often I get lost in the weeds, bushwhacking through my own way, covered in mosquito bites and ticks — only to be guided back to HIS Path as I reflect on how my wanderings have fared.
Today I want to continue, and perhaps wrap up (for now), my thoughts on Philippians 4:8. I had planned to expand more on each of the eight things Paul charges us to think on. But after more reading and reflection, and while walking through a devotional by Paul Tautges (Anxiety: Knowing God’s Peace), I’ve realized it’s most important to double down on what I mentioned before:
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.
(Philippians 4:8, ESV)
Think… meditate… gaze upon these things. Saturate your mind in them.
Earthly Blessings
I think it’s perfectly fine to think about even earthly blessings that HE has allowed as we reflect on this list. For me, it may look like:
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The true love for and from my family
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Working honorably for my employer
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Treating others justly
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Keeping my marriage bed pure
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Enjoying the loveliness of HIS creation in my garden and birding
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Lifting up others for their commendable actions, even if I go unnoticed
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Rejoicing in the many things in my life that are excellent or worthy of praise
These are good and right. But deeper still — it is even more vital to meditate not only on the gifts, but on the Giver.
Jesus Christ: The Fulfillment
You know who represents all of these perfectly, in totality, in harmony?
JESUS CHRIST.
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True – “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the FATHER except through me.” (John 14:6)
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Honorable – “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” (Matthew 17:5)
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Just – “But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you.” (Acts 3:14)
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Pure – “And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.” (1 John 3:3)
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Lovely – “He is altogether desirable. This is my beloved and this is my friend.” (Song of Solomon 5:16)
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Commendable – “For to this you have been called, because CHRIST also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.” (1 Peter 2:21–22)
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Excellent – “…you were ransomed… with the precious blood of CHRIST, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.” (1 Peter 1:18–19)
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Worthy of Praise – “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” (Revelation 5:12)
If you’ve not yet surrendered yourself to the only One who is worthy—the One who can walk you from death to life—may I appeal to you to do that today?
Join me on this imperfect pilgrimage as we strive to walk His Path, Daily—not out of merit or works, but out of love for the One who walked it perfectly on our behalf. One day, each of us will stand before GOD in judgment. But with JESUS as our Advocate, we need not fear. HE will stand before the FATHER and say, “This one is Mine.”
Oh, what a meditation!
May I be free to meditate on many things that fit this list — but may I never forget to meditate on the One who fulfills them perfectly.
To meditate on these things is to meditate on HIM.
So church, may we take this list tonight, tomorrow, any day, every day — and simply meditate.
JESUS is True. JESUS is Honorable. JESUS is Just. JESUS is Pure. JESUS is Lovely. JESUS is Commendable. JESUS is Excellent. JESUS is Worthy of Praise.
Be well, church.
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