The mind being set on things which are pure will prepare the way for a life that is according to God. Right "thinking" will lead to right "doing." Having said of the things that are pure, "think on these things" the Apostle now says, "Those things which ... ye have seen in me do."
It is not enough to have "learned" and "received" the truth, through the Apostle's writings, or to have "heard" it from his lips and "seen" it in his life. What we have learned, and received, and heard, and seen, is to be translated into our lives. We are, as another Apostle has said, to be "doers of the word, and not hearers only" (James 1:2222But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. (James 1:22)).
Then, says the Apostle, if our minds are set on things that are pure, and our lives in accordance with the truth – if we "think" and "do" rightly – we shall find that not only the peace of God keeps our hearts, but that the God of peace will be with us.
In spite then of all the failure of the church and the trials by the way, how blessed the portion of those believers who
Stand fast in the Lord;
Have the same mind in the Lord;
Rejoice in the Lord;
Who are known of all men for their gentleness;
Who are careful for nothing;
Who have their minds set on things that are pure; and
Who, in practice, "do" the things they have learned and received.
Such will have their hearts governed by the peace of God, and will enjoy the support of the God of peace. In all these exhortations there is nothing that cannot be carried out by the simplest and youngest believer, in the power of the Holy Spirit. They demand no special gift; they require no great intellectual attainment. They form the very essence of practical Christian life, and are as applicable in these last difficult days as in the early days of freshness and power.
Thus ever on through life we find,
To trust, O Lord, is best,
Who serve Thee with a quiet mind
Find in Thy service rest.
Their outward troubles may not cease,
But this their joy will be –
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace
Whose mind is stayed on Thee.
In all these exhortations there is nothing that cannot be carried out by the simplest and youngest believer. They form the very essence of practical Christian life, and are as applicable in these last difficult days as in the early days of freshness and power.
Courtesy of BibleTruthPublishers.com. Most likely this text has not been proofread. Any suggestions for spelling or punctuation corrections would be warmly received. Please email them to: BTPmail@bibletruthpublishers.com.
Courtesy of BibleTruthPublishers.com. Any suggestions for spelling or punctuation corrections would be warmly received. Please email them to: BTPmail@bibletruthpublishers.com.