“Whatever things are just . . . think about these things.” The instruction in Philippians 4:8 is not about the word “Justice.” The KJV and the RSV translate the word “Just.” The NAMB and NIV translate the word “right.” Think about right things, right actions and behavior, and deeds that are just or righteous.
We learn what is right and just conduct from our Heavenly Father. “Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints!” (Revelation 15”:3) When we think about things that are just and right we should aspire to King David’s practice, “O how I love Your law. It is my meditation all the day” (Psalm 119:97). God’s law teaches us what is truly right and just.
If we have been Christians long and have been moved by our Lord’s love, and if we have disciplined ourselves to regularly read God’s Word, and if we have allowed The Holy Spirit to shape us and recreate us into the image of God’s Son, then it should not be difficult for us to think about what is just and right behavior.
What is just and right action? What works and deeds can we include in our meditation today? For the sake and purpose of our present thoughts let us not allow our thinking to turn to what is not just, not right and not good. Let us not during these moments of meditation think about our failures and our misbehaviors. Think about what is right and just. What are the great and marvelous works of the people of God?
Think about actions of love, kindness, and selflessness. Think about behavior that provides a good and righteous model for people in our life. What behaviors of others make us smile? Think about living that is pleasing to God. Think about activity that will make someone’s day. What just and right things have you seen others do? What is someone doing around you right now that is good and right? What good and just activity is God up to around you? What law of God regarding your right behavior do you love? Are you in love with the character, activity and goodness of Jesus our Savior? Name one thing you love about His ways. Name one thing Jesus is doing in you that you love. What just and right thing you are doing for Him and in His name?
Wow! This could actually be very healthy for us physically, emotionally, and spiritually, if we could find ourselves deeply meditating on things that are “just” and “right,” and loving the thoughts and behaviors produced.