1 Corinthians 15:4 “Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power.”
The term finality….it speaks of the limits of life and often shapes how we act, plan, or determine how we invest our resources. When it comes to our resources, how do we know what we truly have a measure of control over?
*The ways we spend our free time or where we invest resources, how we use the talents we’ve been given, or the measure we walk in obedience can either have meaning and purpose or be used for selfish gain.
The way live today will echo into eternity.
Whether we invest our energy into pleasing ourselves, blessing others, or in worship to God, the eternal investments we make in life will have ramifications both now and in the life to come.
There is a way to prepare for a future that inevitably concludes in the time we are allotted. The magnitude of time is not known, but what we do know is what God has revealed. Living with purpose honors God and we know our efforts are not in vain.
How can we invest in what is valuable and still move on from what is not?
The Word of God is the guide.
Proverbs 4:25-27 “Let your eyes look straight ahead,
And your eyelids look right before you.
Ponder the path of your feet,
And let all your ways be established.
Do not turn to the right or the left;
Remove your foot from evil.”
Whatever is important to the Lord must be brought into alignment with our own measure of value. Whatever is ‘good’, is directly associated with God’s character of Holiness. Whatever is not good is deemed evil and apart from Him.
God’s goodness is a revelation of His perfection. God’s people have been commended to strive for perfection and is shown by aligning our minds and hearts toward God’s nature.
Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.”
All of these attributes have to be understood practically so they can be lived out experientially.
Paul’s exhortation to the church in Philippi shows a culmination of Godly attributes and how the Spirit of God sanctifies His people in like manner.
Godly Attributes
Truth: the end of all Truth culminates in the Son of God. How do we know we are progressing along the correct path?
Proverbs 4:18 “But the path of the just is like the shining sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.” We know the path of truth becomes brighter as we go. The revelation of God’s glory is progressive in His people, from darkness—to light, the Spirit illumines the heart and mind. Knowledge gained is secured in wisdom , wisdom that is given. Apply wisdom correctly and the path will be blessed.
Honor: Calvin Coolidge once said “No one was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave.” In the Kingdom of God, this rule applies as well. We receive love with the expectation that we give it away. The investment God makes into our lives is meant to be a testimony of God’s love made evident through Jesus’ death on the cross. It is by His resurrection that lives can been redeemed and Jesus will honor those who have honored Him.
Rightness: To be right before God is to be justified.
Acts 13:39 “Through Him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses.” If we dwell on what is right, we take into consideration our past position of guilt, and our subsequent position of freedom in Christ; being justified by the grace that Jesus afforded us. To remember from where we came is to keep a right perspective.
Purity: the greek term for purity is aphtharsia; meaning no-corruption (unable to experience deterioration); incorruptibility (not perishable). When we have been transformed by the power of God, we move from corruption to aphtharsia (incorruptibility). Sin corrupts, it hinders a relationship with God, it corrupts the flesh, and it has ruined all of Creation. Remembering the purity we have been anointed to is to see ourselves as God sees us. Moving on from our past and looking forward to who we are in Him. He is making His people new. God’s sanctifying power leads His people in purity.
Loveliness: to be made lovely is to become acceptable before the Father.
Isaiah 52:7 “How lovely on the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who announces peace And brings good news of happiness, Who announces salvation, And says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
A heart that steeped in sin is an abomination before God. Sin is an affront to God’s character. A sinful heart denies God’s Sovereignty and Holiness and elevates the pride of man before Him. When we’ve been purified, we become a fragrant aroma before His throne. Jesus makes us worthy to approach God and our lives become something that is worth celebrating, not the reproach it had been before.
Admiration: to be admired is to be well spoken of. You can have a reputation that precedes you, one of honor and good report. It is only by walking in the Spirit that our nature can be transformed from one of disgrace to one that is admired by God. Reflect godly character wherever you go and even the world will laude you for it. The ideals that God has ordained are universal in nature, they cadre to all that is considered worthy of acclaim in a world of darkness. We honor the name of God when we live as He has ordained. We become a living testimony of God’s power and faithfulness.
Excellence: is to be morally virtuous. The acceptance and adherence to God’s moral law is the very definition of an excellence. We lose so much meaning when everything is given great value, regardless of the measure of sacrifice. It takes sacrifice to become obedient to God, the pleasure God takes in faithfulness is made evident through our lives.
Praiseworthy: Being commended for excellent service in God’s Kingdom reflects the pleasure of God for obedience. It’s no wonder why Paul coupled excellence and praiseworthiness together…they go hand in hand. If you notice God’s appreciation in your life, there simply is no greater reward on earth. Knowing God is pleased is like being transported into God’s throne room and tasting for a moment of all that is to come. Worship arises with a heart of thanksgiving, a deep, contrite spirit of worship that wants to return the love that God is revealing.
Until then…
Life can be difficult. Any faithful follower of Christ understands how difficult God’s testing can seem at a given moment, especially when pride is present. The pattern of reflection Paul was illustrating in the Philippians letter is meant to bring perspective in times such as these.
Philippians 1:3-6 “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
The Lord knows our vulnerabilities, He knows how weak we can become and when we stumble, we can likewise become defeated and frustrated. If we really want to live rightly, we will strive to honor the Lord in all we do and yet the battle can make us weary—When it does, Stop…..consider God’s plan…..and remember His goodness.
Remember all that God has brought you through.
Remember all that God has promised and all that He will do.
The road can seem long, but it can also be joyous.
James 1:12 “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.”
All roads come to an end. If you are walking on God’s path the end is just the beginning—it will be worth the journey. Just remember, it’s not far off, just around the next bend and then there will be a glorious city awaiting for those who have been found faithful.
Until then….hold on.
U.T. 