4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never ends. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8a) One just has to flip on the television any more to see that our world is on fire. People setting a fire that spans a continent, riots, politicians, celebrities and other public figures caught engaging in illicit and/or illegal activities, it's like a bad movie. What is more, our media lifts up drug use, sex, violence, and all sorts of things. There are some (many, if you look at how we buy our entertainment) who justify what is done.
My fellow Humans, we seem to rejoice in wrongdoing, not because we're ignorant, but because we get a thrill and a rush at doing wrong. Why? Because, since our first rebellion, humanity has always wanted to push the boundaries and borders of right and wrong. We have a spiritual law written on our hearts, but because we can, we try and do. It's why we get stuck in horrible arguments over what is human life and what is not, who deserves to live, and who can we cut, not for the sake of society, but for the continuity of our own gains by any means necessary. We have a tendency, because we can, to rejoice at what we know, even if it is deep down, is wrong. Maybe so many voices are shouting loudly, not to drown out their opponents, but to drown out their own broken heart and the still small voice of a God that is desperately trying to make it new. It is time, then, Christian, that we stand firm on and rejoice with the Truth.
The trophies we collect for ourselves are not things we can take with us. And if we suddenly go for this radical paradigm shift against the grain, we will meet opposition, both within ourselves, and within those who see us doing it. But shift we much, because if we're not shifting toward God, we're shifting away. There's never a moment we're standing still. It is time for us to focus on what matters, and more importantly, Who. We're told to fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith. Why? Because the world will constantly try and drag us down. Let us then focus on what, and most importantly WHO is good, truthful, and righteous, so that we, too, may find Him working out those qualities in us.
Philippians 4:1-8 English Standard Version (ESV)
4 Therefore, my brothers,[a] whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.
2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion,[b] help these women, who have labored[c] side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness[d] be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 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. Footnotes:
Philippians 4:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 8, 21
Philippians 4:3 Or loyal Syzygus; Greek true yokefellow
Philippians 4:3 Or strived (see 1:27)
Philippians 4:5 Or gentleness
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