Competitive Advantage

Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good reputation  Philippians 4:8

Whatever – In the end, it’s the little things that count.  That’s particularly true when it comes to character.  Character is the focus of Paul’s comments about the occupations of our thoughts.  Paul knows that “character is much easier to retain than it is to recover.”  He knows that the competitive advantage in spiritual development goes to the ones who spend their time and energy dwelling on these things:  what is true, honest, just, pure, lovely and reputable. 

Paul introduces all these character qualities with a tiny Greek word, hosa.  It is a development word.  In this case, it extends an idea from one context to another.  In other words, it acts like a casting line.  I stand on the bank of the stream and cast the line far out into the water.  My thought moves from the edge of the bank to the end of the line in the midst of the stream.  In just this way, the energy I put into character needs a focal point, and that point, says Paul, is the line cast far out into the waters of truth, honesty, justice, purity, beauty and good reputation.  My attention moves along the line, looking for the signs it gives me from a distance.  In the same way, once I have cast my vision far into the realms of these character qualities, I will be drawn toward that point and encouraged to watch carefully what happens at the end of the line.

Notice, if you will, that the purpose of casting is to focus attention.  It does no good to throw the line anywhere and then ignore it.  I must aim, act and watch if my cast is going to produce results.  I must turn away from the distractions, ignore the dangers and dismiss the alternatives if I am to aim at the best place in the deep water.  My competitive advantage is lost if I do not concentrate on the cast.  In the same way, my character is damaged, and possibly lost, if I do not focus on the target.  Paul tells us to put aside all those things that could diminish character.  He warns us that once lost, character is seldom recovered without agony.  He exhorts us to guard against damage simply by concentrating on the direction of our thoughts.  Hosa is the connector that moves me from here to there.  “Whatever” I see in that deep water will be enough to guide my aim.  In fact, anything that is true, good and beautiful will lead me to more truth, goodness and beauty.  But for Paul, and for followers of the Way, the final cast sends the line right into the center of God’s character.  His character is the ultimate example of what is true, honest, pure, good, and worthy.  There is no better place to cast my attention than into the stream that reveals who He is.

This is important because it helps us remember that what really matters is who God is, not what God does.  We may not understand His actions.  We may puzzle over His decisions.  But we will be secure if we concentrate on His character.  When we can’t make sense of life, our confusion will be wiped away if we but look at who God is.  Character remains after everything else is put to rest.  Cast your line deep into Him and you will be drawn toward His eternal values.

Topical Index:  hosa, Philippians 4:8, character, cast, true, good, beautiful