So What's The Difference?

I have seen a very interesting commercial for, 7-Up I think, where someone comes up to the snack counter and asks for a specific sparkling lemon-lime beverage (we'll just assume it's 7-Up due to poor memory) and the counter person says "We have Sprite... it's all the same." He then draws a Sprite and hands it to the customer and says, "That's a dollar." The customer wittily pulls out a small coin -- dime or penny or something -- puts it on the counter and says, "...it's all the same."

What a beautiful illustration of the fact that we may think and talk relativism, but in real life, we don't buy it.

We may think and say "whatever... one way is as good as another" but we know better.

Philippians - Being Right-Minded

Phil 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. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

Being “right-minded”: We have a choice about what we think on, what we read, what we watch and listen to. Our choices in these things matter much in experiencing God's best. A lot of the time, we -- sort of mindlessly -- ingest whatever is playing. Don't be mindless. If you want God's peace, dwell on the things this verse says and forego the mediocre.

Philippians – Being "Right-minded"

Phil 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Being “right-minded”: Guarding our minds by not bearing our own burdens. Take every need to God or you will be eaten up with overwhelming needs.

Philippians – Being "Right-minded"

Phil 4:1 Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.

2 I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.

Being “right-minded”: Ah, Euodia and Synthche. These women obviously had some differences that they let come before or pre-empt the same-mindedness that God desires. They needed to put aside their differences and look out for each other.

Philippians – Being "Right-minded"

Phil 3:17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. 18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame--who set their mind on earthly things. 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

Being “right-minded”: Having the temporary and the eternal in right perspective. Anyone who trades the eternal for the temporary is a fool. Earthly life and responsibility is not “bad” versus heavenly things “good”. That is Platonism. Rather, the issue is not banking on the temporary. Instead, use it for the eternal.