Whatever is .... (7)

Jack was struggling to explain the scope of “no.”

Professor Jack McKinney, Harding University Greek instructor, was attempting to explain the Greek negative found in 1 John 1:5 (“...and in Him there is no darkness at all.”). He reminded us of a bright summer day with its shadows. Then he asked what it might look like if there were no shadows, or any other forms of slight darkness. He added the ideas together to show us how bright the world would look. He concluded that God was brilliant, with no shadows (evil) of ANY kind or amount. There was not a hint of darkness.

If there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, ….

Paul wanted his point thoroughly made in Philippians 4:8. He wanted it complete. He added to the list two “shadow” areas: excellence and praise. He combined both ideas.

Paul was emphatic. He added ANY excellence and ANYthing worth praising. He urged them to search out ANY virtuous thought, feeling or action. Seek ANY amount of moral goodness. Find ALL modesty and purity. He added ANY thing worthy of approval or sanction. Hunt ALL things worth endorsing or recognizing, commending or praising.

Paul had told them, and us, to consider carefully whatever is of truth, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and of good repute. Now he adds ANY area that might be closely associated with ANY of the powerful qualities. His thoughts must be complete.

Paul is challenging you to look for excellence or moral goodness ANYwhere it might be found. This creates a mind set always aware of the good, commendable things.

Then, as the chain reaction continues, genuine praise will flow. We will speak well of good organizations or people. We praise good behavior.

Some are elevated from their muck and mire, and others develop a new attitude as well.

Are you looking for ANY thing excellent or ANY thing praiseworthy? Think about it!

Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.”

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Study truth, honor, things pure, lovely, of good repute. And thank you for considering ANYthing excellent or praiseworthy.

But now would be the WORST time to stop reading. The most powerful thought of this series will be discussed: the verb. Please read the final link, coming very shortly.