Think on These Things – Philippians 4:8
Think on These Things – Philippians 4:8
“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” (Philippians 4:8 KJV).
The Lord is very clear; individuals are to think about certain things because every thought is associated with a feeling, and thoughts drive all behavior. Individuals should think about true things, think about honest things, think about just things, think about pure things, think about lovely things, think about things that are a “good report,” think about virtuous things, and praiseworthy things. A person is to think about these things. Thinking about these things will give a person peace, comfort, hope, assurance, and confidence. What is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy: Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ is honest, trustworthy, and fair. We need to believe Jesus Christ when He says: “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6 KJV). In a time when others tell lies, let us think about the honest One. Jesus Christ is honest; think on these things.
Jesus Christ is just. If a person believes in Jesus Christ alone for salvation, He is the Justifier to the just. “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. (Romans 3:24-26 KJV). Jesus Christ is Justifier to the just; think on these things.
Jesus Christ is pure. Pure is without defilement or spot. Jesus Christ is pure; He is sinlessly perfect. “And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin” (I John 3:5 KJV). Only Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, can make a perfect sacrifice for sin. “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified” (Hebrews 10:10-14 KJV). Jesus Christ is pure; think on these things.
Jesus Christ is love. There is no greater love than Jesus Christ laying down His life for others. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8 KJV). “This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:12-13 KJV). When one receives Jesus Christ as Savior (believe Jesus Christ died on the Cross for your sins, burial, and resurrection for salvation) and know they have eternal life that cannot be lost, let us share with others that they too can have eternal life freely received when they believe in Christ alone for salvation. “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world” (I John 4:7-11 KJV). Jesus Christ is love. Let us testify the love of Jesus Christ with all mankind; think on these things.
Jesus Christ is a good report. A good report is hearing the Gospel: “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (I Corinthians 15:1-4 KJV). A good report is hearing the payment for sin is paid in full. Jesus Christ said, “IT IS FINISHED!” The Gospel is a good report. Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, documented in the scriptures alone, so God receives the glory alone. Do not reject a good report, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, because non-believers in Christ alone go to Hell/Lake of Fire for all eternity: “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power” II Thessalonians 1:8-9 KJV). Jesus Christ is a good report; think on these things.
Jesus Christ is virtuous. “And Jesus said, somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me” (John 8:46 KJV). Jesus Christ has the power to save all mankind from a Hell they deserve to a Heaven they don’t. A person is saved from a Hell they deserve to a Heaven they don’t by trusting in Christ alone for salvation: believe Jesus Christ died on the Cross for their sins, burial, and resurrection (nothing else). Jesus Christ is virtuous; think on these things.
Jesus Christ is worthy of praise. Our Heavenly Father laid out the Plan of Salvation, and Jesus Christ fulfilled the will of the Father by dying on the Cross for all the sins (past, present, and future) of mankind. Jesus Christ was buried, showing the entire world He died for the sins of mankind. Three days later, Jesus Christ resurrected from the grave, showing all mankind the payment for sin is paid in full. “And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing” (Psalm 107:22 KJV). Jesus Christ is worthy of all praise; think on these things.
We are to think of things that are true. Jesus Christ is the only TRUE God! “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:3 KJV). “And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life” (I John 5:20 KJV). Jesus Christ is true; think on these things.
During this time, let us not be moved away from hope -the HOPE of the GOSPEL. “If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister” (Colossians 1:23 KJV). If you are saved, and you have not shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ with anyone, take the time and share the Good News with this person. Think on these things.
If you have not received Jesus Christ as Savior, what is stopping you right now from accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior; today is the day of salvation, today is the day to be born again. Let it be known that Jesus Christ loves you, He died on the Cross for all your sin (past, present, and future), He was buried for you, and He resurrected the third day for you. Trust in Jesus Christ alone as your Savior today. THINK ON THESE THINGS!
THE PLAN OF SALVATION - THE GOSPEL
The Gospel is Jesus Christ died on the Cross for our sins (past, present, and future), He was buried, and He resurrected the third day to show us the payment for sin is paid in full.
I Corinthians 15:1-4: Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
God loves you. Lord Savior Jesus Christ was revealed in the flesh for one reason, and that is to save us from our sins. Jesus Christ does not come to condemn individuals. Jesus Christ comes to save us because we are all Hell doomed sinners without the Blood of Jesus Christ.
John 3:16-18: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
All individuals are sinners. The payment for sin is death.
Romans 3:23: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Romans 6:23: For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Christ died for your sin and resurrected for you.
I Corinthians 15:3-4: For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
II Corinthians 5:21: For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
If you believe in Christ alone, you receive eternal life.
John 6:47: Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
I John 5:13: These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
If you could earn salvation by the following: being baptized (infant or adult), going to communion, going to confession, partaking in confirmation, asking Jesus into your heart, giving money, doing good works, being a good person, follow the Ten Commandments, or any other ritual, sacrament, tradition or work? Why did the Ever Presence Jesus Christ (the God from Eternity Past, the God from Eternity Future) reveal Himself in the flesh and die on the Cross for sin and resurrect the third day?
Galatians 2:21: I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
If you could earn salvation by doing those things mentioned above, then Jesus Christ died in vain. However, Jesus Christ did not die in vain. Jesus Christ made a perfect sacrifice for sin. He is the Lamb of God, and only the Lamb of God can make a perfect sacrifice for sin. There is only one way to Heaven, and it is the belief in the Finished Redemptive Work of Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 2:8-9: For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Philippians 3:9: And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
Galatians 2:16: Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Titus 3:5: Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
The resurrection is proof God the Father accepted Jesus Christ’s death payment for sin -death payment of past, present, and future sin.
People DO NOT go to Hell because they are “bad.” People go to Hell because they believe NOT the Gospel of Jesus Christ. People trust NOT in Jesus Christ as their Savior. People believe NOT Jesus Christ died on the Cross for their sins, burial, and resurrection. People do NOT trust alone in the finished redemptive work of Jesus Christ.
II Thessalonians 1:8-9: In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
Know that God is gracious to you, and He has already died for all your sins (past, present, and future), He was buried showing all the world He died for your sins, and He resurrected showing all the world that Jesus Christ fulfilled what the Father asked Him to do: IT IS FINISHED!
I pray you to believe in Jesus Christ right now for salvation -believe Jesus Christ died on the Cross for your sin, burial, and resurrection. Trust alone in Jesus Christ as your Savior. Remember, that once you are saved, you are forever saved. You can never lose your salvation. It is the Trinity that holds onto you and seals you. You do not hold onto your salvation.
John 10:28-30: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one.
Ephesians 1:13-14: In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
If you know someone who is not saved, forward this message to them and share the greatest gift that one could ever receive.
Lance Edminster
The Good News Voice
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Once Saved, Always Saved - “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one” (John 10:28-30 KJV).