honorable

Our thinking about things on the list in Philippians 4:8, sharpens our understanding of those things. We all could agree that Paul’s list is inspired and worthy of our attention, but they are most valuable when we have a correct understanding of what each is. When we think about things that are “true” we begin with our personal conclusions about what “true” means. If we are mediating of things that are “noble” or “honorable” our thinking begins with and is influenced by our personal belief of what “honorable” means. One person’s list of honorable things can be totally different from another’s person’s list.

I am writing today on November 11^th, Veteran’s Day. Today is a good day to analyze how we conclude a thing is honorable. Why do we decide that men and women who served our country in her armed forces should be honored? Answering that question may help us understand “honorable.” Here is my opinion. Our men and women who served in uniform are honorable because they made unselfish sacrifice.

Personal sacrifice is an honorable thing. Military personnel give up part of their lives to serve their country. They put themselves in harms way because they believe it is the right thing to do. They risk their lives for a greater cause. They heed a call while understanding what the cost could be. They dedicate their service to those they leave behind. They don’t quite when times are tough, they have each other’s back, they give their best and more. They are counted among the people who are honorable. There are others: police, fire-fighters, and other first-responders. There are others: missionaries, servants of the church, church ministry leaders and volunteers. These are honorable too.

We find in the last chapter of the book of Romans a list of honorables. Listen to the reasons for their honor. “I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you.; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also. Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus. Who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. . . . Greet Mary, who labored much for us. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the Apostles, who were also in Christ before me (Romans 161-4,6-7).

Today is a good day to think about things that are honorable, and particularly people who are honorable. How pleasurable it is to meditate on our own list of honorables. There are many names from the past and others around us today from whom we learn what honorable means. How pleasant it is to meditate on them today.

The practice of thinking about good things, as we are directed to in Philippians 4:8, is a physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually healthy endeavor. The greatest benefit, in my opinion, is to be certain that each of the given things is understood correctly. The second item in the list of six is one that deserves some investigation. If we misunderstand the thing about which we are to focus our thinking, then our thoughts may run in a totally unintended path.

Our word today is most often translated either “noble” or “honorable.” If we can ponder what things are noble and honorable, we will probably be thinking in the right and profitable direction. However, the King James Version translates this word “honest” and produces totally different thoughts. “honest” things are good but will probably take us down the same path as “true” which was our first thing in Philippians 4:8. It is also not a good translation of the Greek word.

I also want to differentiate here between “honorable” and “praise-worthy.” Later in verse 8, we are instructed to include anything praise-worthy. Honorable and noble are different. When men and women are given awards from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (The Oscar), it is because they have done something deemed worthy of praise. When a woman or man receives a Purple Heart or other metal during military service to our nation, it is to recognize actions that are noble and honorable. When a contestant on American Idol sings with power, beauty, and skill, they may be worthy of praise, but they have done nothing that is deserving of honor. When a fireman abandons all fear and forces her way through a burning home to rescue a small child, she has committed a noble and honorable act.  When a pastor stands and delivers a beautiful Sunday sermon, he may be worthy of praise. But, when a believer refuses to deny her faith in Jesus Christ while threatened with certain death, and with her dying words gives a witness of Jesus’ love to her accuser, she is a noble and honorable disciple.

What things are noble? What things are honorable? Think! What actions are noble? What character is honorable? At this point you may be tempted to think about things you see that are dishonorable. There are people around you who can not be described as noble. Stop! Don’t go there. It does not contribute to your health or to any worthy conversation. Think about noble and honorable moments, people, actions, attitudes, words, ideas, ideals, and practices. Let your thinking about noble and honorable things be thoughts that are themselves noble and honorable.