“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4: 8-9)

It always amazes me how differently Scripture views what is ‘savvy’ or wise and truly practical. I didn’t grow up in an environment where people around me were streetwise or crafty or cunning. The reverse was true. But to be too philosophically idealistic was considered to be … impractical and gullible. Few however, compare with some of the people I have met along the way who, to me, really embody and exhibit cunning quite matchlessly. Certainly, they are incapable of being gulled and taken advantage of. Often, they are the culprits who take advantage of more gullible ones. Without conscience, without ethics to stand by their Christian convictions (alas, yes … Christians …), they are (strangely) regarded by many hapless types to be both clever and successful. This seems to be the way of the world.

But no. Oneupsmanship doesn’t do it. Being able to charm or argue or worm one’s way out of things doesn’t really mean cleverness or success at all. In fact, I think there’s something demeaningly ugly and sneaking about it all in a fawning Uriah Heep sort of way.

Philippians 4: 8-9 reads like a list of truly impractical things to do. But Scripture insists that this is how we will find peace and wisdom and discernment. The verses sound entirely impractical and naive and idealistic for good reason: they were meant to be! What saving grace! Instead of centering our minds on worthless things–such as, how can we best the other fellow; or, how can we wriggle out of a doubtful situation; or, how can we take a stab at someone without being caught–we should focus on thinking and doing what is morally excellent. Sounds like a Morals class. But it gets even more ‘impractical’! Paul encourages the Philippians to imitate him in his naive and idealistic thinking! Where was he anyway when he wrote to the Philippians but under house arrest in Rome!

Nevertheless, Paul assures us, this was the way to go. Think true, pure, noble, lovely, admirable, excellent, praiseworthy and right thoughts. Do the same, and Scripture promises, our lives will be full of God’s peace. Paul’s point is that these ‘impractical’ virtues are good for us to focus on because they are the qualities and expressions of God himself. They characterise God, and ought to characterise us too, if we are really, as we claim, the children of God.

‘True’ means what is ‘for real’, reliable and honest. It is from God, and is the exact opposite of false. ‘Noble’ refers to what is dignified and worthy of respect. ‘Right’ is whatever is upright and just, whatever conforms to God’s moral standards and which he would approve of. ‘Pure’ is whatever is morally wholesome, without any taint of impurity or moral alloy about it. ‘Lovely’ speaks of what is pleasing and attractive. ‘Admirable’ or ‘of good report’ denotes those things that are appealing and worth the words and breath we expend.

“If anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things.” Oh dear, we are very far from taking this seriously. Yet Paul clearly tells the Philippians that as Christians, they have the ability to discern what is excellent or praiseworthy, and what is not. It is up to us what and how we think, and it is up to us whether our actions and lives live up to the Word of God and the character of God, whom we are to faithfully reflect.

If our lives are filled with peacelessness and conflict, we must return to such passages and consider ourselves in the light of what they say. Right thinking leads to right action. Right action results in God’s peace, his shalom that really means well-being and health and renewing freshness. Wrongful thoughts and acts lead to conflict and bitterness and peacelessness. “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable” (James 3:17).

I think we need a realignment of our perspective with Scripture. God’s wisdom is, in fact, pure, meaning it has no ugly alloy about it. It has no hidden dark spot or muddiness that raises questions as to motive and agenda. It speaks truly and candidly, and always with the intention of love behind it. It is all light and sheds truth and realisation on a situation that makes things clearer to all–and not less clear. James agrees with Paul, in that God’s ways and character bring about peace: his wisdom results in peace, and is peaceable. With God, conflict and quarrelsomeness have no part.

These Philippians had learned and received, heard and seen, Paul’s words and behaviour enough to understand how centering on God’s thoughts and ways brought about the peace that should be evident in Christian living. His experience ought to be their experience. He was straighter than straight, and honest as honest comes. Did lesser types laugh at him and think him naive? Doubtless. But then, you see, they wouldn’t have had the peace of God, would they?

Paul knew how to live the normal Christian life. That is the only life we are called to live. It’s time to let Scripture edge its way into our heart’s core. Whether it burns dross away or enhances the gold that is already within us, let it do its work so that “the God of peace will be with [us].”

I know this rhyme is about politics, but it fits us so well today that I have to quote it:

There was a crooked man and he
walked a crooked mile,
He found a crooked sixpence upon a crooked
stile.
He bought a crooked cat, which caught a crooked mouse.
And they all
lived together in a little crooked house

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization or NATO, also called the (North) Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental military alliance based on the North Atlantic Treaty which was signed on 4 April 1949 … the organization constitutes a system of collective defence whereby its member states agree to mutual defense in response to an attack by any external party. (Wikipedia)

Conversely, and for the purposes of this post, NATO also means No Action, Talk Only!

“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power” (1 Corinthians 4: 20)

If life consisted only of the words we speak, I tell you, this would be a magnificent world. As it is though, the world is pretty nasty much of the time, which is why we often sing the song: “Look for the silver lining …” The rest of it, you see, is dark clouds.

Paul’s context was the arrogant and quarrelling Corinthians, of course. Drunk with the thought of spiritual power and position, these Corinthian leaders had been badmouthing Paul to the people (v. 19), claiming that he was nothing but an impotent and weak old man in comparison to themselves (2 Cor. 1: 17; 10: 10). Paul’s defence is interesting. Since the Corinthians were, by and large, quite enthralled by power, he answers their backbiting with verse 20: God’s kingdom is not proven in mere verbiage, but rather comes in the demonstration of his power over life changed, transformed, re-created and renewed. The “kingdom of God” phrase Paul uses (v. 20) is not eschatological, but refers to the now and present work of God reigning over his people and transforming their lives into the image of Jesus Christ. The power of Christ, Paul insists, is demonstrated and proven in the new creation and newness of life changed and liberated through the hearing of the gospel (Romans 1: 16). His challenge to the erring Corinthians was this: if they could demonstrate power through transformed lives which reflected God’s holiness and character, then he would certainly believe that they were right. If their power shows were nothing but big boasts, he would descend on them with the power and authority invested on him by God to discipline them (v. 21)! What would they prefer, he asks. Should he come to them with a whip, or in a spirit of gentleness? It really was up to them, but come to them he would.

It seems to me that the Christian walk today is full of “verbal pitfalls,” so much so that we are all terribly guilty of the sentiments expressed by the acronym NATO–and I’m not talking about any defence alliance! Yes indeed, we are (in)famous for No Action, Talk Only. We sing mighty songs in church though (“Touching heaven, changing earth,” no less!) … but they end when the service ends. We are quite incapable, many of us, to take the victory assured us in the powerful gospel, into the areas of our personal and communal defeats and bondages.  We imagine that spiritual effectiveness is seen in displays of power, of immediate answers from heaven to our petitions for our needs and wants: “Taste and see that the Lord is good!”

However, maturity and real spiritual effectiveness lie elsewhere. If our lives are not changed, then no amount of talk will make us pleasing to God (Colossians 1: 10) or convince others of our spirituality. People need to witness the transformation in us, to see the character and backbone in us, and to hear (yes, words not excepting …) our faithful proclamation and teaching of the ways of God.

If we don’t demonstrate the power of God at work in us through the gospel, then we must ask ourselves honestly: Am I really a follower of Christ? Am I an eikon, a fitting reflection and image of Christ, as he is of the Father? Or am I something else masquerading in Christian-sheep’s clothes, baa-ing away unconvincingly?

The more I read Paul, the more I understand that the power of God is nowhere expressed as well or perfectly as in the gospel. And nowhere can I be a more effective witness of that power than in the demonstration of a life that has been transformed by the touch of grace. I’m not talking about evangelism alone, or conversions. The gospel’s power extends far beyond that first step which we take, as Paul tells us.

There is no power show greater than this. There is no higher or worthier exploit that I could give my energies to than to yield myself to the re-creation of my person and being so that I become, crafted in God’s hands, an image of holiness and well-being.

All our so-called “deeds” for Christ, the plans we dream up in his Name, are very little in the end in comparison with the mighty gospel at work in the re-creation of a broken life. Christians keep stressing the wrong things, the small things, sometimes in very loud voices. No Action, Talk Only about the real issues! It’s strange how we puff up the inconsequential things that God is not overly-concerned about, like our fancy programmes and our buildings and our shows and our banners … these are the things of the world, they don’t warrant that much attention …

If we’re not careful, we will find ourselves like the boastful Corinthians. Perhaps it’s time for a spot check, just to see how we’re keeping our accounts books. God may well be asking us what Paul asked the Corinthians: “What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline, or shall I come in love and with a gentle spirit?” I wonder what our answer is.