PEACE AND JOY IN THE LORD.
By John G. Matteson
The world with its pleasures can never give true peace or lasting joy. This is found alone in God. “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.” Phil. 4:4. “It is the privilege of those who walk in the light to rejoice always. Even Paul and Silas could rejoice in the dark prison whilst their feet were made fast in the stocks. The gentle rays of heavenly joy may shine on the path of the weary pilgrim.” “Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.” Verse 5. Moderation—literally gentleness or meekness—is one of the principal elements of true religion. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” Without meekness there can be no peace and joy. Christian courtesy and kindness must be cultivated by all who believe that the Lord is at hand. “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Verses 6, 7. Blessed peace which thus can be obtained through Christ. It surpasses all human calculation. No tongue can speak it, no pen present it. But the humble soul can be filled with it. It preserves our hearts and minds in Christ. Then let the world rage without. Let the deep waters of unbelief seethe, and their mighty billows roar. Christ in us, the hope of glory, is our lifeboat, which bears us safely across the foaming waters to the peaceful land of eternal rest. “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.” Verse 8. This verse contains much precious instruction which should be treasured up in our hearts. The apostle mentions eight things for us to think on:— 1. Whatsoever things are true. Christ is the truth, and the way, and the life. None can come to the Father but by him. The word of God is truth. John 17. In this Christ reveals himself unto us, as well as by that Spirit of truth which proceeds from the Father and the Son. The word contains both the law and the gospel. We know that the testimony of Jesus is true. John 21:24. And God’s “law is the truth.” Ps. 119:142. All his “commandments are truth.” Verse 151. Therefore we must keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus if we would walk in the truth. Rev. 14:12. And we have no greater joy than to hear that our “children walk in the truth.” 3 John 4. Let us then carefully consider all things which are in harmony with God’s truth, and therefore worthy to be accepted. 2. Whatsoever things are honest. Honesty cannot be separated from Christianity. A dishonest man cannot be a Christian. The original word signifies literally, honorable. And it is certainly not honorable to be dishonest. Christian honesty, which leads to a conscientious fulfillment of our duties to God and to our fellow-men, is an article which will be accepted as genuine by all. 3. Whatsoever things are just. Justice or righteousness is that which is in harmony with the law of God and the life of Christ. The word signifies things that are perfect. The law of God is perfect. Ps. 19. And Christ is spotless and without fault. It also signifies that which is without guilt. To be without guilt is the greatest blessing on earth. “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.” Ps. 32:1, 2. And this blessing can be obtained in Christ through repentance and faith. “I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.” Verse 5. 4. Whatsoever things are pure. A follower of Christ will strive to keep himself pure in body and mind. Christ was pure and holy. The same original word is rendered chaste in Titus 2:5 and 1 Pet. 3:2. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” “Any thing that defileth” shall in no wise enter into the heavenly city. Rev. 21:27. 5. Whatsoever things are lovely. That which is evil and impure should have no place in our minds. But every lovely work and word and character may profitably occupy our thoughts. Our mind and character will in time resemble those things and persons which continually find place there. If we ourselves would be lovely, we must try every day to dwell with our mind on those things that are lovely. 6. Whatsoever things are of good report. Evil reports are easily circulated. Thousands are ready to carry them. It is easy for us to see the mistakes of others and to remember them. The weak sides of our fellow-men furnish an inexhaustible subject for conversation. How often we have sinned against God in this way. We need a new conversion on this point. Let us think more of that which is of good report, and thus learn to glorify God in this respect. 7. If there be any virtue. It is not good to flatter people, neither is it good to undervalue their moral worth. And wherever virtue is found, it is but just that we should recognize it, even though it be outside of our own party. We can safely fill our minds with everything that is virtuous, and thus with Christ we can walk in the path of virtue which leads to peace and joy. 8. And if there be any praise. All praise belongs unto God. The Lamb that was slain is worthy to receive honor and glory and blessing. And glory and power belongs unto him that sitteth on the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. Rev. 5:12, 13. God is worthy to receive glory and honor, because he has created all things. Rev. 4:11. And all the redeemed will praise the Lamb that was slain, because he has bought them with his precious blood. Rev. 5:9. Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me bless his holy name. Ps. 103. “Let all his angels and all his hosts, sun and moon and stars of light, earth and fire and all deeps, hail and snow and stormy winds, fulfilling his word, mountains and trees and all cattle, kings and princes and all people praise the name of the Lord: for his name alone is excellent. His glory is above the earth and heaven. Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord.” Ps. 148, 150. The majesty and glory of God is a blessed theme. His wonderful works may occupy our minds in all eternity. When our minds and lives are occupied in this way we have the promise that the God of peace shall be with us. And if we are the children of peace we may rejoice in the blessed hope of eternal life and glory at the revelation of our dear Lord. JOHN G. MATTESON.