After the in-your-face diatribe about legalism in Philippians 3, Paul closes with some positive instruction. How shall we live?

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known 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 made 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. (Philippians 4.4 – 8, ESV)

When I read the Bible, it’s a glimpse of how things should be. Lives characterized by…

• Joy
• Reasonableness (we could use a bit of that in our society, yes?)
• Prayer, resulting in peace (don’t worry!)
• Meditating on what is:
  • True
  • Honorable
  • Just
  • Pure
  • Lovely
  • Commendable
  • Excellent
  • Praiseworthy

One of our sons went to Northwestern University near Chicago. Look at the shield closely: the middle ring is QUAECUMQUE SUNT VERA. “Whatsoever things are true” (from the King James Version). We could stop right there, couldn’t we? How many folks spend a lot of time meditating on things that aren’t true? Fake news on all sides.

And if it is true, is it honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, praiseworthy? If not, let’s quit filling our minds with it!

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. (Philippians 4.23, ESV)