Whatsoever Things are Just
There is so much injustice in this world, we almost have to think outside this world to come up with just things to think about. We are looking at Phil. 4:8, which gives a list of things to think on, and “just” is the third thing in the list.
It reminds me of the phrase “To look around is to be distressed; to look in is to be depressed; to look up is to be blessed.”
That may be the point to thinking on just things. For a good understanding of what “just” means, look at these 4 verses:
♦If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
♦And there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.” (Isa 45:21b)
♦Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. (Zech 9:9)
♦And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. (Rev 15:3)
God and Jesus are just, and from reading these verses, the word conjures images of holy righteous and lofy. So yes, looking up at Him is a good place to start in thinking of things that are just (righteous, holy and lofty) because we aren’t going to find anything like that to think on if we focus on things around us, and certainly not if we are focused on the news and anything having to do with the upcoming presidential election. We can’t look to our country for just things to think on. We can’t expect a presidential hopeful to usher in justice. Everyone around us is a sinner and brings with them unholy thoughts, ideas and actions. To place any thought on them is futile.
Our most righteous, holy thoughts will be those focused on God, Jesus and the Bible. So here are a few verses to think about, and maybe to memorize or frame and put up in the house.
He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. (Deut. 32:4)
The just LORD is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame. (Zeph. 3:5)
As we go through our days, let’s accept the challenge to think on things that are just—righteous and holy. When we do that, we will probably find that our actions follow, and we become better people to be around.
Jody