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.
--Philippians 4:8 (NKJV)
From the daily Bible reading on July 10, 2013 of Psalm 119:57-64; Philippians 4:2-23; 1 Chronicles 11.
Paul packs a lot into this short letter to his friends and supporters in the church in Philippi, and the fourth and last chapter is no exception. Paul has discussed the pattern of Christian life which believers should follow, using the humility of Jesus as their example. He gave them clues to the prize in store from their Christian life, exhorting them to be like him in following Christ and not heeding the Judaizers who wanted to reinstate the law that Jesus freed them from. And now Paul closes his epistle to the believers by wishing them the peace that can come with living a Christian life, encouraging them to be at peace with others, at peace with themselves, and at peace with any circumstances they face. Interestingly, when he addresses the first of these, for the people to be at peace with each other, Paul specifically mentions two women by name, Euodia and Syntyche, urging them to live in harmony in the Lord. We don't know if these two had some kind of conflict between themselves, some sort of feud or fuss, or perhaps experienced difficulty with others in the community. All we do know is that they are believers who Paul likely worked with previously and that Paul cares enough about them that he wants to see them at peace and enlists the aid of others of the church to accomplish that goal. In this Paul shows his love for the people.
Speaking of finding peace no matter our circumstance, Paul explained how we can cope by writing the words that form my favorite Bible verse: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13.) But before this, when encouraging us to be at peace with ourselves, perhaps the most difficult of the three, Paul really gives the key as to how we can achieve and maintain this inner calm he keeps writing about. "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7.) We don't have to 'find' peace or come up with it on our own. We can get it directly from God through our relationship with Jesus.
And this leads to today's focus verse. If we want to have any chance of being at peace, of remaining calm while the storm of life rages all about us, we must keep our eyes squarely on Jesus. We must keep our thoughts (our minds) and our feelings (our hearts) completely in line with how He lived His life and how He taught us. We need to distance ourselves from all the bad and evil and wickedness in life and dwell only on the good. Whatever is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, virtuous, or praiseworthy, these we should focus on, these we should study, these we should emulate. Look only to Jesus and receive God's peace. Amen.
Lord Jesus, please help us look solely to You for guidance and inspiration. Thank You for strengthening us when we feel we can go no further. Thank You for sharing God's peace when the turmoil all around us threatens to overwhelm us. Thank You for giving us an example to follow, and the Way to our Father in heaven. In Your beautiful name, Christ Jesus we pray. Amen.
Speaking of finding peace no matter our circumstance, Paul explained how we can cope by writing the words that form my favorite Bible verse: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13.) But before this, when encouraging us to be at peace with ourselves, perhaps the most difficult of the three, Paul really gives the key as to how we can achieve and maintain this inner calm he keeps writing about. "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7.) We don't have to 'find' peace or come up with it on our own. We can get it directly from God through our relationship with Jesus.
And this leads to today's focus verse. If we want to have any chance of being at peace, of remaining calm while the storm of life rages all about us, we must keep our eyes squarely on Jesus. We must keep our thoughts (our minds) and our feelings (our hearts) completely in line with how He lived His life and how He taught us. We need to distance ourselves from all the bad and evil and wickedness in life and dwell only on the good. Whatever is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, virtuous, or praiseworthy, these we should focus on, these we should study, these we should emulate. Look only to Jesus and receive God's peace. Amen.
Lord Jesus, please help us look solely to You for guidance and inspiration. Thank You for strengthening us when we feel we can go no further. Thank You for sharing God's peace when the turmoil all around us threatens to overwhelm us. Thank You for giving us an example to follow, and the Way to our Father in heaven. In Your beautiful name, Christ Jesus we pray. Amen.
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