O Lord, who hast mercy upon all, take away from me my sins,
and mercifully kindle in me the fire of thy Holy Spirit.
Take away from me the heart of stone,
and give me a heart of flesh,
a heart to love and adore thee,
a heart to delight in thee,
to follow and to enjoy thee,
for Christ’s sake.
~ Ambrose of Milan (339-397)
Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed.
~ Psalm 85:10 (NKJV)
Like two long lost friends who have finally been reunited, in Christ, mercy and truth are perfectly united together. The Psalmist eagerly anticipates the blessed coming together of two such divine attributes. In Christ mercy and truth are upheld. In Christ righteousness and peace are both equally attainable. In Christ mercy and truth find a home.
Mercy without truth is compromise and truth without mercy is condemnation. Neither do real justice to the other when kept apart. In Christ alone do these two beautiful perfections find their way into blessed harmony with one another, and therefore like a loving couple who have long been apart, at last they kiss the perfect kiss.
~ apl
A man fast asleep in a house on fire, and while the consuming flames are round about him, having his fancy sporting itself in some pleasant dream, is a very lively resemblance of the unregenerate soul.
~ John Flavel (1627-1691)
He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates friends.
~ Proverbs 17:9 (NKJV)
Practically speaking, the Christian should always endeavor to lean towards love with regard to their fellow man. But this can be especially hard when we feel we’ve been slighted or wronged. Yet, it is at this particular point Scripture teaches us the wisdom of covering transgressions in love. And if we fail to do this, and insist on repeating a matter, and are unwilling to show mercy and forgiveness that true friends are separated. Therefore, let us as disciples of the Lord Jesus follow His example. Practice love, love that leans towards and covers even a multitude of sins.
~ apl
The cross…always has its way. It wins by defeating its opponent and imposing its will upon him. It always dominates. It never compromises, never dickers nor confers, never surrenders a point for the sake of peace. It cares not for peace; it cares only to end its opposition as fast as possible. With perfect knowledge of all this, Christ said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” So the cross not only brings Christ’s life to an end, it ends also the first life, the old life, of every one of His true followers. It destroys the old pattern, the Adam pattern, in the believer’s life, and brings it to an end. Then the God who raised Christ from the dead raises the believer and a new life begins. This, and nothing less, is true Christianity… We must do something about the cross, and one of two things only we can do – flee it or die upon it.
~ A.W. Tozer (1897-1963)
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things.
~ Philippians 4:8
The old adage goes something like this: “Sow a thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny.” The thoughts of our mind ultimately become the destiny of our life. The thoughts we entertain, like the charts on a ship, set our lives on a particular course. And this course charted for us by our thoughts can be for better or worse depending on what thoughts we allow ourselves to cultivate and take root in our mind.
In our text today, the Apostle Paul exhorts the Christians at Philippi to constrain their thoughts, to discipline their minds, to focus, to think or meditate on such things that please the Lord and conform their thinking to such lofty ideals that bring about His honor and glory. He tells these believers, whatever is true, whatever is lovely or of good report, whatsoever has virtue or is praiseworthy, that it is in these things; it is here where our heart and mind should lie.
The inward topics our mind should dwell on should tend towards outward holiness and righteousness in our life, not away from it. The characteristics of truth, love and virtue are of a godly sort. These are the attributes of thought and attitudes of heart those who follow Christ should seek to develop because they will move us ultimately closer to Him.
Two of the most beneficial ways to train our minds to dwell on such noble things are Scripture reading and prayer. Through these two means of grace, our minds, which are by nature opposed to such thoughts, will, by God’s grace, slowly yet surely bend towards His goodness and glory. But like in our passage, Christians must be reminded of our duty in this regard.
So, are you actively seeking to conform your thoughts to such characteristics as Paul describes here in Philippians? Do you find your mind wandering into areas of unrighteousness which may lead to sinful patterns of life? Do you make diligent use of Scripture and prayer to help keep you on course towards holy and pure living? May we seek God’s help to do so.
~ apl
Let us try in all simplicity and honesty to go out to our homes to translate the language of high faith and heavenly enthusiasm into the plain prose of daily conduct, so that all men can understand it.
~ Andrew Murray (1828-1917)
Dwelling in unapproachable light, the Daystar who scatters all of the night. Our Alpha, Omega; No beginning, no end, Oh Righteous King, the sinner's best Friend. Ransom, Refiner, Refuge and Rock, Great Shepherd You are, to Thee must we flock. Promised before, as Abraham's Seed, Fulfilled in Thy Word, You satisfy our need. Fountain of Love and Chief Cornerstone, Sacrificial Lamb cries out death's groan. Prophet, Redeemer, Son Most High, Let us flee to Thee Savior, lest we all die.
~apl
Continue earnestly in prayer…
~ Colossians 4:2a (NKJV)
Maybe the most important lesson we receive from the Apostle Paul regarding prayer is the importance of a persistent prayer life. Many of the difficulties and trials that surround cultivating a wholesome life of prayer are quickly dissolved if we will but come to the Lord in an earnest, faithful and consistent manner. If practice ever made perfect, continuing earnestly in prayer, seeking the face of God continually, may best fit that old adage.
One of the trademarks of early Christians was their tenacious prayer life. We read, for example, in Acts 1:41 about the first disciples, how they “all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer“. Likewise, in Acts 2:42, the Church is described “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers“. And then later Paul would exhort the Thessalonians, “pray without ceasing“. These are but a few inspired examples of the significance placed on an on-going life filled with regular prayers.
The words the Apostle uses in Colossians 4:2 that we translate “continue earnestly” literally mean “to be devoted or constant…to give unremitting care to a thing…to persevere and not to faint“. So we can see the importance, not only of occasional prayers, but of a resolute, determined and unrelenting life never ceasing with prayer. I feel it is safe to say most believers do not have this kind of vibrant prayer life. Most of us struggle to even know what to pray for, more or less how to strive continually in prayer. My sincere hope is this brief devotion on the Apostle’s attitude towards prayer will help us to grow closer to God and continue earnestly in prayer.
~ apl
I may no longer depend on pleasant impulses to bring me before the Lord. I must rather respond to principles I know to be right, whether I feel them to be enjoyable or not.
~ Jim Elliot (1927-1956)
A Prayer Life 