Final answer?

Philippians 4:8 
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, 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 anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 

What are these things? This is an important question to ask and fortunately for us, Paul gives the answer to it in the very next verse, “...the things which you learned, received, heard, and saw in me...” That really doesn’t completely answer the question for us, though. In order to answer the question, in order to understand what these “things” are, we must look to Paul’s life and find out what he taught, gave, spoke, and demonstrated. 

First of all, Paul taught grace, and the grace he taught was a radical grace. He taught the grace of Jesus Christ in such a way that he was constantly being accused of authorizing sin. Paul taught that where sin abounds, grace is super-abounding (Romans 5:20). Paul taught that attempted justification and righteousness by the works of the law makes the work of Christ ineffectual in our lives (Galatians 5:4). Paul taught the forgiveness of sins and the over-abundance of God’s grace in the life of the believer.

Second, what did Paul give? Paul gave, through his teaching, the confident expectation of good and eternal salvation that every believer longs to hear about. Paul imparted hope to those who listened to his teaching. He gave the believer the confidence to stand upright in the finished work of Jesus Christ. He gave the believer the knowledge of who Jesus is and how great a Savior He really is. Paul gave hope.

Third, Paul spoke words of affirmation. Paul began all of his writings with words like, “Grace and peace to you from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul spoke forth blessings and edification to the people.

Finally, Paul demonstrated the love of Christ to those he ministered to. Paul suffered at the hands of his adversaries, yet continued to proclaim the grace and forgiveness of His Lord, Jesus Christ. Paul went out of his way to bring the message of salvation to people who didn’t want to hear it, even when they hated him for it. Paul ministered the gospel of grace to everyone he encountered and continually proclaimed the finished work of Jesus Christ.

Though this may seem to be all about Paul, let me assure you it isn’t. The truth is that all that Paul did was about Christ. He taught Christ’s grace; he gave Christ’s hope; he spoke Christ’s blessings; he demonstrated Christ-like love. Paul was a minister of Jesus Christ to the people.

These “things” that Paul is telling the Philippian church to meditate on, the things that he’s telling us to meditate on, they’re not his works; they are the works of Jesus Christ. Whatever is good, praiseworthy, lovely and pure, just and noble, meditate on it. That “it” is Jesus Christ. He is praiseworthy. He is altogether lovely and pure. He is just and noble. Christ is good; meditate on Him. Focus your thoughts and the utterances of your mouth on Jesus Christ. It’s not a call to focus on your right doing or good works, but rather a reminder to focus on Jesus’ right doing and His finished work. If there’s one thing I’ve found in reading the Bible it’s this: the answer to the question is always Jesus!