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.

Elections

Elections are almost here. The part of me that does not like the ads, brochures, flyers and signs will cheer when it is over. The part of me that senses accountability is uneasy.

Every important privilege brings with it duties. We live in a country of freedoms. So, Christians have responsibilities to the government. Rom 13:1 says, "Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities for there is no Authority accept from God and those which exist are established by God."

And responsible citizens vote.

In many countries, Christians do not have an opportunity to improve, correct or refine their nation, their state, or county through democratic voting.

Voting brings with it four challenges.

The first challenge is to vote for the man most moral. Morals are founded on principles of right conduct rather than legalities, enactments, or customs. Since my country is needing to return to the principles of right conduct, in the presidential race I must vote for the man following God's principals.

From http://evanolsen.org/

God gave up on homosexuals thus setting a principle of right conduct. We will not vote for a man who endorses homosexuality as an "alternative lifestyle".

The second challenge is to vote for the man with the best employment program. God wants us to work. 2 Thessalonians 3:10. "For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone will not work, neither let him eat. For we hear that some among you are living an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busy bodies. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to work in quiet fashion and eat their own bread."

Some states, such as Arkansas, can also vote for issues that keep their citizens working.

We should NOT vote for candidates who allow able workers to stay on welfare programs.

Challenge #3 is to vote against issues, or candidates, that will ruin people. Colorado shows was clearly legalized medical marijuana does not work. Law enforcement officials believe it results in more pain than it removes. In Arkansas, we need to vote against legalizing medical marijuana.

The final challenge is to vote for a candidate that practices good stewardship. Companies such as T.D.Ameritrade and Edward Jones are practicing stewardship. They manage properties and financial matters.

My bank helps me practice good stewardship. If I spend more than I have deposited, I am charged a severe penalty. Good stewards do not spend more then they take in. Nor do good stewards "gamble" with someone else's money (mine) in an attempt to spend their way out of debt. Will your bank let you spend your way out of debt?