THINK ON THESE THINGS

THINK ON THESE THINGS

There's a New Testament scripture found in Philippians 4:8 that is of great importance, not just from a Biblical view, but from a metaphysical and esoteric world view. Let's begin with two translations in English:

KING JAMES TRANSLATION

"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."

 AMPLIFIED BIBLE TRANSLATION

Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].

The key takeaways of this verse are of a positive polarity, and we are told specifically to think continually on these things ... to center our Mind on them and implant them into our heart: true, honest, just, pure, lovely, good, virtuous, admirable, excellent, peaceful, and praise-worthy. We are also reminded in Proverbs 23:7 "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he." Now expand this: As a man focuses his thought on good things, and holds those thoughts in Mind, he can implant these good thoughts in his heart. 

Where our focus goes, our energy grows. This is Universal Law. For every cause, there must be an effect. What we set our Mind on, is what will manifest in our physical reality. What we constantly think about, is what will come about. Even more, is that our focus must utilize all of our senses. We must not only think, but feel, touch, smell, see, and hear that which we desire to manifest. We must guard the Mind's Gate, as a watchman, a shepherd, and at times ... like radar and sonar. What comes at us, and what comes from us, must be beneficial to not only ourself, but to everyone. 

If we chart our journey through Life in this way, all will benefit from right-thinking. For it is wrong-thinking that is sin. Wrong-thinking is missing the mark of Truth. When we miss the mark, we work on improving our aim. We catch a negative thought and cancel it out with a positive one. We "think on these things" and we improve out Life experience, and the experience of those around us ... near and far. We are all tied to the infinite Field of Consciousness ... the Matrix ... the unseen realm of thought. The more we think about good things, the more they will manifest in this world. Ultimately, we can eradicate all the negative thoughts, emotions, and actions; and build a better world for all who are in it, now and for the future as it unfolds. 

Just a thought ... 

Justin Taylor, ORDM. 

WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION

WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION

Philippians 2:12 states the following: 

“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”

And then 2:13 immediately after this verse:

“For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.”

Before we get to “salvation,” we should have a quick glance at “work out.” The Greek word for “work out” is katergazomai (κατεργαζομαι) and means “to perform, to achieve or to accomplish.” It appears twenty-two times in the New Testament. The verb “signifies working at, and finally accomplishing a task. Keep this in mind while studying the rest of the verse. 

Fear: The Greek word that is translated as “fear” is phobos (Φόβος). It is a noun and is normally translated as “fear, terror or alarm, and respectful or reverence for.” In Ancient Greek Mythology, Phobos was the son of Ares and Aphrodite, and the twin brother of Deimos ... Phobos was the personification of fear and panic. Panic is derived from Pan ((πανικός), the name of the Greek god of shepherds, woodlands and meadows whom all feared.

The word “trembling” from the Greek is tromos (τρόμος). It is a noun and it means “trembling, quaking, and quivering.” It refers to “shaking, as an outward sign of fear, or of being seized with great awe.” 

Now, as we continue to read through this scripture, lets pause for a moment and take a hard look at the word “salvation.” Before we can grasp the entire text, we first need to clearly define salvation. Remembering, that ancient Biblical scripture is always a translation from either Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek, or Latin ... into English. In many ways, this is no simple task.  

The root of this word “salvation” is from the Greek: σῴζω (Sozo). 

From the Strongs Concordance word #4982:

Salvation (Sozo):

-to save, keep safe and sound, to rescue from danger or destruction (from injury or peril)

-to save a suffering one (from perishing), i.e. one suffering from disease, to make well, heal, restore to health

-to preserve one who is in danger of destruction, to save or rescue

Now, even deeper we go. The etymology of this word “salvation/sozos/saved” (#4982) (sozo) ... has the basic meaning of “rescuing one from great peril.” Additional nuances include “to protect, keep alive, preserve life, deliver, heal, be made whole.” The context must be considered to determine whether preservation of physical life or spiritual life is in view. Also, we can add the meanings of “deliverance from disease, rescue of physical life, rescue from sickness and/or danger, safe and sound, safe and unharmed, well-being/benefitting” and in short ... a vast meaning for one four-letter word. THIS, is sozos.

So we can see, there is MORE to the story than only a “Personal Saviour” that was delivered to the masses to save everyone from sin and from an anthropomorphized devil/satan. There is a metaphysical and esoteric message contained in this verse, as all scriptures have. Its the deeper Truth beyond the literal event that is masked ... waiting to be revealed ... to those with eyes to see and ears to hear.

The essence of this verse, on an esoteric level, is to say the Holy Spirit (the Divine Spark of God / Consciousness) is at work to transform us. God is working in us. This is not merely a transformation, it is a metamorphosis of the highest level. And just like the butterfly cannot return to the life of the caterpillar, neither can we return to a life that is less than Divine. 

“For it is God who works IN YOU to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.”

-Philippians 2:13

God is experiencing a physical Life THROUGH US, WITH US, and AS US. God is working in us through circumstances, trials, and other people. When we come to this realization of Spiritual Truth, we allow the Divine within all mankind to work with no obstruction and no hindrance. All things revert back to the default of goodness and love that benefits all of creation. Therefore, we see a Divine balance that permeates Scripture ... man's human responsibility, blended with God's Divine resources. The overall intention is modesty and humility. To be humble and to open ones heart to the ways of God (Good). We are all co-Creators in this realm, as are collectively responsible for all that we create. Good thoughts, good actions, lead to good manifestations. 

Just a thought ... 

Justin Taylor, ORDM.