Whatever Is Honorable: Think on these Things

 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8 ESV

If you watch the news long enough, you’ll see a world filled with crooks and scoundrels, heartbreakers and lawbreakers. It’s hard to be joyful when corruption abounds. But if we look around, we can still find many honorable, godly, good people.

In the book of Philippians, the Apostle Paul tells us to fix our minds on the things that are honorable. Other translations use the words “honest,” “dignified,” or “noble.”

Honest, honorable people still exist. On December 29th one such man went home to be with the Lord. (No, I don’t mean former President Jimmy Carter. But as he was ushered into the presence of God, I think Jimmy Carter most likely ran into Will Sawyer.)

I remember Will as a man who loved his Savior, loved his wife, and loved to teach.

In one of our last conversations a few months before he died, Will gave me a mini sermon on the biblical process of sanctification. Will reminded me that once we put of faith in Jesus Christ to save us from our sins, God begins a work in our lives. He sanctifies us; he sets us apart and works in our lives to make us more and more like Jesus.

Over the five decades that I knew Will, I saw this process at work.

Will was always wise and well-respected. When I first met him, people called him “Dr. Sawyer,” an acknowledgement of his PhD. He had climbed high up the ladder of success at Exxon and had many patents to show for his discoveries.

But as time went on, his earthly accomplishments meant less and less to him as he grew closer and closer to the Lord.

I could list the churches he helped build, the mission work he did, the people he taught, and the lives he impacted. I could list his achievements in seminary.

But at the end of his life, he declared that he didn’t want recognition. His only desire was that Jesus Christ be glorified. Every conversation pointed to the Lord—God’s faithfulness, His sovereignty, Christ’s expected return. He and his beloved wife Carol often expressed a desire to “go home.”

When Carol went home first, I wondered how Will would fare without his wife of 66 years. They were always together. In fact, I didn’t have any photos of Will without Carol. They were a team.

The day after her funeral, I called to check on him.

“I’m sitting here having my devotions,” he said. “I’m spending time with the Lord.”

Today, almost two years later, he is reunited with Carol, and they are both beholding the Lord face-to-face.

When I consider the honorable things in the world, I think of Will. I think of the modern Enochs and Noahs and Abrahams who live counter-cultural lives and walk with God when no one else does.

And I learn from their example as they live for the One who truly deserves all honor and glory.

Whatever is honorable…. think on these things.