Approve the Things That Are Excellent
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Approve the Things That Are Excellent
We live in a world where we are surrounded by those who approve of all sorts of things that God condemns as sin in His word. We see those who think it’s enlightening to combine Eastern religious practices with Christianity. Others claim their “smart business practices” are not really dishonest. Some claiming a higher knowledge declare that there is no God. And others tout that God does not condemn homosexuality. The proclamations of mankind get very complex and diverse as they declare that they have discovered ways that are far superior to God’s old-fashioned word.
But, when a person’s eyes, ears, mind and heart are opened to fully realize the eternal truths of God’s word — in comparison to the ever-changing ideas of people — we get just a small glimpse of the power in everything God sets forth. When we see God’s power and the depths of His love for us, we have a whole different take on what the world keeps pushing at us. Then we come to understand the grossness of the world’s ways in comparison to the goodness and holiness of God’s ways.
That is what happened to the Philippians. They had been Roman idol worshipers before coming to faith in Jesus. In their changed life style, they began to display a true Christian love and faith that excelled as they learned more about God’s love for them in Jesus Christ. Now they were totally different from the unbelieving Roman community they lived in. So, when Paul wrote to them about their new faith in Philippians 1:9-11 he says,
I pray that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Paul would pray this for us also, in this world of many unbelievers. People often don’t know enough about the love and power of God to “approve the things that are excellent”. They just go with the flow of the world and have no clue about how much more excellent God’s ways are. They have no “real knowledge and all discernment”.
But, when we come to know the wonders of God’s love for us in Christ Jesus, there springs up a godly joy and love within us. Then we become filled with “the fruit of righteousness”. But, that has nothing to do with our efforts to do good works all by our own strength. Every honest “fruit of righteousness” that we might have “comes through Jesus Christ”. It is not meant to pat us on the back and declare how good we are. Instead, it is “to the glory and praise of God”. So, anything good within us is a work of God.
That is why it is so important for us to open up our hearts and minds to all the truths and proofs God has set before us in His word. His word gives us life. As we see what a marvelous gift God Almighty has given us in His word, we say, “Hallelujah! My LORD, everything You say in Your word really is so much more excellent than anything this twisted world has to offer. Blessed be Your name for giving even me the treasures of Your word.”
Love,
Margaret
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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods
This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24
The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
Psalm 18:30
Sing for joy in the LORD, O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming to the upright.
Psalm 33:1
How blessed are those who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4
Just as a father has compassion on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1
Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3
Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12
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