6-25-10

PHILIPPIANS 4

There is always something special about any bible reading, and even more so for me to read the last chapters of any of Paul’s letters. He packs so much basic and clear reminders and last thoughts into these chapters, and really brings forth his genuine care for people as he does so.

He urges unity between two women here. There apparently was a problem of enough significance to address, yet Paul seems to have faith in the church and these ladies to manage the situation and correct any problems. After all, as Paul indicates, they have been instrumental in the faith, just like Paul.

Do we need to constantly be reminded to pray? Apparently so, OK, I will say, definitely YES! And Paul does so, “let your requests be known to God”, he says.

Verse 7 is used by lots of churches in general as a closing, and sadly it has become rote memorization, a throw-away statement to close a service or sermon. But put your arms around the phrase “the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension”. We can never begin to grasp that peace of God, yet God Himself tells us we can experience it; that peace is so big, we cannot possibly comprehend, so we must just accept that.

In life, we can dwell (or focus) on many things. Yet, here is a great list of descriptions that should accompany that dwelling:
True, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, excellent, worthy of praise.
Find that which satisfies these characteristics, and dwell on them.

As I mentioned, I love the deeply personal side of Paul, and he is genuinely happy that people are concerned for him. He reminds them that he is content, he has known great prosperity and poverty alike. He has known abundance and suffering. Then we get to verse 13. “I can do all things through Him (Christ) who strengthens me.” This verse is used and quoted so often, and usually in the context of being able to accomplish great things for Christ. While I agree that we can do so, this verse, here in its proper context, really shows that no matter what life throws at us, we can handle it, if we rely on the strength of Christ. Filter life’s ups and downs through Christ, and you can handle them. This is the “do all things” of this verse.

Paul closes this book with the reminder that the glory is all God’s . He refers to all these believers as saints, as we are each saints who are saved by faith in Christ. And when you finish the chapter, read the last verse over a few times. “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.” It’s not just a closing, grace given from Savior, mentioning His full and proper name, can certainly guide each and every one of us. This is what Paul prays here.

I pray that this book of Philippians has been a source of encouragement for you, as it has been for me. Rejoice! Christ is near! Again, I say, as Paul did, Rejoice!