Think AND Do

Real Dudes,
​The other morning I read Philippians 4:8 without reading any other verse in that passage. It’s a verse most of us are familiar with, but maybe not so familiar with the verse immediately after it. We tend to stop after verse 8. I’ll get to verse 9, but let’s begin with verse 8. 
Verse 8 reads as follows…Philippians 4:8 (CSB) 8 Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy--dwell on these things.
When I finished reading verse 8, I couldn’t help but think that it can’t stop at just Thinking/Dwelling. Thought life has an effect on each person. Why, or How? Because our thoughts often turn to actions. Without actions, these things to think about don't do us much good. Kind of like faith, without works, is dead (James 2:14-26). 
Then I went back and read verse 9, which states for us to…Philippians 4:9 (CSB) 9 Do what you have learned and received and heard from me, and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.
There it is…our thinking is now encouraged to be put to action. Where did they learn these things? From the Apostle Paul’s example that he left them concerning truth, honor, being just, purity, love, and commendation. That was Paul each day of the week. He was constantly leaving an example for others to follow. An example that he learned from the Lord and other followers of Christ. 
Just so you know, our example leaves an impression on those whom the Lord allows to follow our teaching and walk. Will our example be whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely and commendable, a reflection of Christ…pointing to Christ? Or will it be thoughts of the world and its ways that they’re thinking on and then acting out? Many are observing our lives…do they want to think on our actions and then imitate them? Why or why not? What needs to change if anything? It’s not too late. God’s still working on each of us. I pray that we’ll be growing and progressing towards maturity…all for His honor and glory!
Cheering for Y’all,
Nate

The Apostle Paul states in 1 Corinthians 11:1 for us to…

• New International Version

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

New Living Translation
And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.

English Standard Version
Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

King James Bible
Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

For further knowledge…below is a breakdown and description of the words used in these two verses:

Logidzomi…think/dwell (BDAG, p. 598) “to give careful thought to a matter, think (about), consider, ponder, let one’s mind dwell on…someth.”

Manthano…learned (BDAG, p. 615) “to gain knowledge or skill by instruction, learn.”

Paralambano…received (BDAG, p. 768) “Somet. the emphasis lies not so much on receiving or taking over, as on the fact that the word implies agreement or approval, accept…w. regard to teaching and preaching.” 

• 1 Corinthians 15:1 (CSB) Now I want to make clear for you, brothers and sisters, the gospel I preached to you, which you received, on which you have taken your stand

Akouo…heard 

• Thayer's

1. to be endowed with the faculty of hearing, not deaf
2. to hear
   1. to attend to, consider what is or has been said
   2. to understand, perceive the sense of what is said
3. to hear something
   1. to perceive by the ear what is announced in one's presence
   2. to get by hearing learn
   3. a thing comes to one's ears, to find out, learn
   4. to give ear to a teaching or a teacher
   5. to comprehend, to understand https://studylight.org/lexicons/eng/greek/191.html

Eidon…saw/seen (BDAG, p. 279) “to perceive by sight of the eye, see, perceive.”