Phil 4:8 (NKJV) Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
Nobility.
Immediately when I hear that word, I think back to an era of Kings & Queens, Princes and Princesses, Dukes and Lords and other noblemen and noblewomen of the day. Being a huge Monte Python fan, I’m careful to separate history from the hilarity of John Cleese being turned into a newt!
So what is Paul saying when he says to meditate on things noble? According to Strong’s concordance, noble means “1. august, venerable, reverend. 2. to be venerated for character, honourable.” This simply means… I have to get my dictionary out! “August” – if you are in Texas means “unending days of 100+ temperatures” – but Webster and the rest of the world defines it as: “marked by dignity or grandeur”; “venerable (or venerated)” means “to regard with reverential respect or with admiring deference; to honor with a ritual act of devotion”; and “reverend” means “worthy of reverence; of or relating to the clergy.”
I get the idea. It’s about character. It’s about behavior. It’s about reverence. It’s relating to our actions.
So the question begs, “How?” How do I fill my mind and mediate on things noble?
In Matthew Henry’s Commentary of the Whole Bible he states: “a regard to truth in our words and engagements, and to decency and becomingness in our behaviour, suitable to our circumstances and condition of life.”
Colossians 3 is an amazing book. It’s one I’m considering memorizing. It is an entire chapter on how to practically live out this Christian life. If I had to find a couple of verses that capture the essence of what Paul is talking about in this idea of “noble”, as noble is directed at our actions, I think it would be Colossians 3:12-13.
Colossians 3:12-13 (NKJV) 12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
So for today, “…whatever things are noble…” I will meditate on and live out and “… put on…” those traits of nobility.
** SIDE NOTE ** It’s getting pretty cool. God is waking me up earlier and earlier – before my alarm goes off to help me have more time to soak in His presence. From a “practically walking this out” perspective, it’s getting hard. The evenings are when my kids like to watch TV shows and there are a few series that we watch together. They keep calling me to watch what we’ve recorded and I’m having to remind them of my 30 day journey…. Keep me in your prayers…. the enemy is in full attack mode (my will, my family, my job) but my God is faithful – this I can be sure of.
…Running After Papa