October 15, 2004, Vol.4,
No.20.
Two new articles every two weeks.
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us.
THIS ISSUE: "Rejoice
in the Lord (Part 7)" (see
below)
and "Liberty"
"Rejoice
in the Lord"
Devotional Study of Philippians
- part 7
The Peace of God (2)
by Keith Sharp
"Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!...
and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will
guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians
4:4,7)
Within the grasp of every Christian is a life free from anxious
worry and a guilty conscience, a life rich with joy and peace.
But having found the keys that open the way, you may be shrinking
back in doubt, telling yourself, "I know I should learn
to think the way the apostle Paul teaches, but I just can't."
Finally Paul dispenses with this last stronghold of anxiety and
guilt so that his readers may with him experience "joy inexpressible"
(1 Peter 1:8) and "the peace of God, which surpasses all
understanding."
God's Power (verses 10-13)
Paul rejoiced that the brethren at Philippi had once again
expressed their care for him by sending a contribution to alleviate
his needs in prison (verse 10). But he assured them he was not
in need, for he had learned to be content whatever his outward
conditions were (verse 11).
To be "content" is to be "independent of external
circumstances." (Thayer. 85) In my preaching travels, I
have relaxed in million dollar mansions, and I have slept on
the floor of a mud hut freshly coated with cattle dung. I've
dined on file mignon and Belizean tamales replete with chicken
beaks and feet. This doesn't make me a hero. I have no problem
being happy in the heat, filth and poverty of Africa, because
I know I will soon be returning to the comfort of my home in
America. When I'm overseas, I'm just on a temporary trip. But
to be content at all times in all situations, we must learn to
view our entire lives as Paul did his. Our citizenship is in
heaven (3:20), we're just travelers here for a short while (Hebrews
11:13-14), and we're waiting for the Lord to take us home (3:30-21).
The apostle had learned to be content whether he was full
or hungry, whether he was wealthy or impoverished. How? Was it
his own personal spiritual strength? No. He revealed, "I
can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (verse
13) His strength was from Christ. He looked to His Word, His
answer to prayer, His providential care.
If we are to have peace and joy in all life's situations,
we must learn as Paul to rely on the Lord for our strength. We
too must fill our hearts with His Word, take our anxiety and
guilt to Him in prayer and trust His care for us.
God's Provision (verses 14-19)
Will God really provide all our needs?
Paul was thankful to and for the church at Philippi. They
had done right in sharing with him in his time of distress (verse
14). In fact, from the very beginning of their existence as a
congregation, when Paul left them to go to Thessalonica (Acts
16:40 - 17:1), they were the only church which shared in his
work by sending him financial support, not just once but repeatedly
(verses 15-16) . But the primary good in this was not Paul's
reception of their gift (verse 17). Rather, it was that their
contribution was an acceptable sacrifice to God (verse 18).
Paul assured them that God, whom he served, would continue
to supply all their needs (verse 19). All "the riches in
glory" are ours "by Christ Jesus." (Ibid) He will
provide us with all our material necessities (Matthew 6:33) and
"every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ."
(Ephesians 1:3) He Who gave His only begotten Son to die on the
cross for us will surely supply us everything we need to gain
eternal life with Him in heaven (Romans 8:32).
Yes, our loving Father will assuredly provide for us all we
need. Trust Him. Live for Him. Cast your cares upon Him. Live
with a heart overflowing with joy and filled with peace. "Now
to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen."
(verse 19)
Conclusion
The great apostle wrote to the disciples whom he loved from
chains in prison, as brethren slandered him and death faced him
as a real possibility. He served the Lord and his fellow disciples
though many of them despised him. He had renounced all the things
of this world that formerly meant everything to him. Yet he wrote
with a heart brimming with joy and peace.
The beloved apostle by inspiration of the Spirit of God shares
with us the secrets to such a life. We must, as he, have the
single mind (1:21), the key to joy and peace regardless
of life's circumstances. We must possess the mind of Christ
(2:5), the mind of humility, to have peace and joy regardless
of what others think of us. We must have the spiritual mind
(3:7), so we can have peace and joy whether or not we possess
the things of this world. We must have the secure mind
(4:7) to have peace and joy in all life's situations. The reward
is "joy inexpressible" and "the peace of God,
which surpasses all understanding."
"Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my
joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved."
_________________
Work Cited
Thayer, J.H., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament.
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