Morning Moments

Philip. 4:8 (KJV)
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

It can be seen from all this that the Greek (semnos) is difficult to translate. It is the word which is characteristically used of the gods and of the temples of the gods. When used to describe a man, it describes a person who, as it has been said, moves throughout the world as if it were the temple of God. Matthew Arnold suggested the translation nobly serious. But the word really describes that which has the dignity of holiness upon it. There are things in this world which are flippant and cheap and attractive to the light-minded; but it is on the things which are serious and dignified that the Christian will set his mind.

It is far too easy to think of this word translated “honest” as a synonym of “true”, but if we do we will miss the colorful and clear use of the Greek language.

Here is a man or woman for that matter with a mind focused on God and His desire to mold us into the person of Christ. The whole concept of “honest” is characterized by the life of Jesus, to whom we are to be conformed.

Several years ago the WWJD bracelet was the thing. The letters stood for What Would Jesus Do. We Americans especially love fades and fashions, but we rarely stop to think beyond the surface of a thing. The word used here is not just something we decide to practice in the discipline of thinking, but it is a way of life characterized by the person of Jesus Christ in us. It cannot be forced or faked, and it is NOT FASHIONABLE.

I remember a chaplain in the Air Force with whom I served who left much to be desired by a young man who needed to know Jesus so desperately. In a way that can only come from a critical and skeptical lost person who desires to discredit Christianity anyway, the chaplain was told, “It is easy for you to wear the little cross on your lapel, but it is much more difficult to BEAR the cross. The young man had no idea what he had said, but it shot like an arrow through the heart of a listening believer.

We may glory in affirming our “honesty”, but we will never glorify HIM, unless and until we allow the Holy Spirit to conform us to His image to the extent that THIS word becomes our WAY of LIFE.

BLESSINGS!