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Theme: THE IMPORTANCE OF THE WORD OF GOD
Text: “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.
Comment: The people of God must do only those things that will give glory to God. A short hand method for knowing what to do and what to avoid is given by St. Paul in the text for today: we should do only those things that are right before God and that would make people to praise him. Our Saviour stated, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16) We should not give cause for offence in any thing, so that non-believers will not use that as excuse to talk ill of the Church. – 2 Corinthians 6:3.
To this end, any circumstance that could pre-dispose one to immoral conduct should be avoided. As St. Paul said, we should “cut off occasion from them which desire occasion”. (2 Corinthians 11:12) Any professed disciple of Christ who gives cause for people to see the Church in bad light is doing a great disservice to the work of God. St. Paul stated, “Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourestthou God? For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written. – Romans 2:21-24.