Loyalty to Truth
B. Kent. Philippians 4:8-9 Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure… A father found a favourite cherry tree hacked and ruined. He cried sternly to his son: "George, who did this?" He looked at his father with a quivering lip, and said: "Father, I cannot tell a lie: I did it." "Alas!" said the father, "my beautiful tree is ruined; but I would rather lose all the trees I have than have a liar for my son." The boy who feared a lie worse than punishment became the hero of his country, General Washington. Whatsoever things are honest — The word does not exactly mean what we call honest, but what is worthy of honour, revered, august, venerable, majestic. Think on whatever things you can look up to in persons, circumstances, and respect. Especially in social life, in the political world, in literature. Where there is no room for reverence there is no room for life. The name of God, the idea of worship, the solemnity of life, the immortality of the soul, the fact of death, the judgment seat — "think on these things," awful, venerable things l Then government, law, the State, the Church, the ruling powers and influences of society; the magistrate, holding "not the sword in vain, the minister of God to thee for good" — "think on these things," pray for them; cheek faction, uphold authority. Nor are the grand advances of science to be omitted from this catalogue. For these, we are to bless God. His hand is in them all. The astronomical accuracy that can calculate the moment of an eclipse a hundred years hence — the power of expediting communication, like lightning, to the ends of the earth — the triumph over winds and waves — the mighty faculty of the poet — the genius of history, the gift of eloquence — the prevention of disease, the alleviation of pain — the "rise up and walk" of medical skill — these, too, together with the awful and majestic in nature and art, whatsoever in mountain or sea or sky, whatsoever in painting or noble structure shows greatness of purpose, nobility of soul, and tends to bow our souls in admiration — "think on these things." (B. Kent.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. WEB: Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, 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 any praise, think about these things.