The Intrinsically Good
Whatever things are of good report,if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
Philippians 4:8
Almost by definition, certain things in the spiritual realm are good. First, God Himself is good. “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” (Rom 2:4).
Second, God’s Word is good and works for our good. Paul told the Ephesian elders, “‘I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified’” (Acts 20:32).
Third, God’s holy angels are good and are there to support believers. The writer of Hebrews affirms this with the rhetorical question, “Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?” (Heb 1:14).
These are truths not only worth meditating on but, in view of their realities, living out.
MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 274). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
Lessons Learned: God Himself is good and everything good comes from Him. If we are to seek fellowship with Him, then we must spend time loving and getting to know Him. We must seek to become like Him, to be conformed to Christ's image. In order to do that we must study, memorize, and meditate on the good things He provides, especially the good commands and instructions God has given us in His word. We must live out these biblical principals by demonstrating what is "of good report", that which is virtuous and highly regarded, such as love, patience, and kindness (1 Cor 13:4).
Applications: Study what is good. Study God's word and memorize it and meditate on it. This is how you can grow closer to God. It is by spending time communicating with God, through prayer and bible study, that we have fellowship with Him. Focus your life on living out what you learn from scripture and bearing forth the spiritual fruit which comes from your loving, personal relationship with God.
Prayer Subjects: Pray that I would concentrate on the goodness which comes from God. Pray that I would learn more about Him, and in doing so, that I would become closer to Him. Pray that I would focus and meditate fully on the good, biblical principals I have gleaned from scripture and I would apply what I learn to my daily life.
Listen to this entry
Philippians 4:8
Almost by definition, certain things in the spiritual realm are good. First, God Himself is good. “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” (Rom 2:4).
Second, God’s Word is good and works for our good. Paul told the Ephesian elders, “‘I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified’” (Acts 20:32).
Third, God’s holy angels are good and are there to support believers. The writer of Hebrews affirms this with the rhetorical question, “Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?” (Heb 1:14).
These are truths not only worth meditating on but, in view of their realities, living out.
MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 274). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
Lessons Learned: God Himself is good and everything good comes from Him. If we are to seek fellowship with Him, then we must spend time loving and getting to know Him. We must seek to become like Him, to be conformed to Christ's image. In order to do that we must study, memorize, and meditate on the good things He provides, especially the good commands and instructions God has given us in His word. We must live out these biblical principals by demonstrating what is "of good report", that which is virtuous and highly regarded, such as love, patience, and kindness (1 Cor 13:4).
Applications: Study what is good. Study God's word and memorize it and meditate on it. This is how you can grow closer to God. It is by spending time communicating with God, through prayer and bible study, that we have fellowship with Him. Focus your life on living out what you learn from scripture and bearing forth the spiritual fruit which comes from your loving, personal relationship with God.
Prayer Subjects: Pray that I would concentrate on the goodness which comes from God. Pray that I would learn more about Him, and in doing so, that I would become closer to Him. Pray that I would focus and meditate fully on the good, biblical principals I have gleaned from scripture and I would apply what I learn to my daily life.
Listen to this entry
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