Notes from 7/20 Bible Study - Things That Are Just

Philippians 4: 8-9

Think on These Things - Things that are Just

These are my unedited prep notes.  Apologies for the various fonts - copy/pasted scriptures from various sources

8  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. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Intro & Quick review:

    

  Thinking (logizomai) means to take an inventory of, count of, estimate, reckon. 

    We have discussed thinking on things that are true and things that are honorable and noble.

       We have discussed why thinking these thoughts is key to fulfillment in our Christian lives and to claiming victory and finding joy.

       The Proverbs 31 woman embodies Philippians 4:8

Thinking on things that are just:

Meaning of the word

Equitable (in character or act);

Words in KJV for the same Greek word: just, meet, right, righteous

Applications of this portion of the verse

Conduct toward others – Upright, displaying integrity – no “sloppy agape”.  Used as a gate for determining thoughts and actions.  How we think is how we will speak and act. 

Examples: Joseph was called a just man. So were Elizabeth and Zacharias.  Pilate’s wife called Jesus just. Jesus called God the Father just. Children are instructed to obey their parents because this is “right”

But we must take care not to dwell too much on our conduct lest we take our eyes off Christ.

                There is none righteous  Romans 3:10

                All our righteousness is as filthy rags  Isaiah 64:6

Without God’s righteousness, we are nothing.

Thoughts about justice, righteousness:

                Build us up

                Motivate us as believers

                Bring comfort and joy

                Help us focus on the gift (of righteousness) and the giver (who is righteous)

Righteousness of God – He is perfect and holy

Righteousness from God – He gives us His righteousness  Romans 5:17-19

¹⁷ For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!

¹⁸ Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. ¹⁹ For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

Romans 1:16-17New International Version (NIV)

¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of Godthat brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. ¹⁷ For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last,^[a] just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”^[b]

Romans 1:16-17 Righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith and the just shall live by faith

                In our human condition we are in darkness

                Christ gives light

                Going from faith to faith is like walking in the dark woods.

                What does a flashlight do?

                What does God’s Word do?  Psalm 119:105

                We move from a position to faith to another position of faith.

The entrance of His word gives light.

We don’t see everything ahead of us. We move step by step

That is how God’s righteousness is revealed to us as we depend solely on him to lead

It becomes our life, faith becomes our identity.

The JUST live by FAITH

Perfect?  No. Proverbs 24:16  When I fall I get up

When we fail he is just to forgive 1 John1:9

Another way to think about things that are just is to think about God’s character and to worship Him. Because he is righteous. It’s his character.

We sing and praise and worship who He is.  Focus goes from us to Him

Psalm 145:17

Psalm 145:17New International Version (NIV)

¹⁷ The Lord is righteous in all his ways
    and faithful in all he does.

Referenced in the song  in Rev. 15:3

Revelation 15:3 New International Version (NIV)

³ and sang the song of God’s servant Moses and of the Lamb:

“Great and marvelous are your deeds,
    Lord God Almighty.
Just and true are your ways,
    King of the nations.^[a]