This morning, my Bible reading during “coffee with the Lord” included a well-known and often applied verse – Philippians 4:8 – as a secret to “victorious Christian living”…
“FINALLY… 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!”
Interesting… This verse has a reputation for forbidding and dictating what a Christian should NOT do or participate in in order to enjoy Spiritual victory and fruitfulness! Yet the words that I have highlighted are not words of prohibition, but permission – even recommendation! … “WHATEVER” (6 times) and the phrase “IF THERE IS ANY/ANYTHING” (twice). Doesn’t sound like prohibition to me – instead the verse seems to be promoting healthy, wholesome “CHRISTIAN LIBERTY!”
May I be one voice, along with Apostle Paul, to encourage you to find, think about, and participate in what is good, pure, uplifting and wholesome, in our culture. Now I acknowledge that prioritizing and choosing those things, excludes other things… But why not celebrate your authentic freedom in Christ, rather than approaching the Christian life from a negative perspective. Maximize and model what is wholesome, profitable, and good! Thanks for the permission and encouragement Apostle Paul!
Coffee With The Lord 