Philippians Chapter Four
Living Like Christ
By Michael K. Farrar, O.D.
© May 28, 2010
www.godsbreath.net
Copies of this and other homilies
available by sending requests to: mikefarrar@aol.com
In
Philippians chapter four Paul continues to address the Christians at Philippi
and how to live in a Christ-like manner.
In
verse four we have the famous verse that states, “Rejoice in the Lord
always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Songs have been written with these words
due to the fact that they reflect how God is worthy of praise because of how He
provides for us and works in our lives. But they are convicting as well. We
often hear this verse quoted to us when we are in the midst of a conflict or
trial. We are depressed, worried, concerned, at wits end and this verse seems
to be telling us to do something that is so “impossible” at the moment.
The impact is multiplied
as well because Paul repeats his command. Anytime in scripture you have
repetition of words or sentences this is an indication that there is a double
emphasis of the importance of the idea, concept or command. It would be
different if Paul said, “when possible rejoice” or “rejoice as much
as you can.” But Paul is saying here “Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS!”
And then he says it once more for emphasis.
I believe there are two
major points he wants to stress here. First, we are to rejoice, not necessarily
in the difficult circumstance or hardship, but rejoice in the Lord and how He
is overseeing our situation. We really can rejoice in the Lord, because we know
He allows all things, blessings and hardships, to take place for a reason. We
rejoice in Him because He is our friend, Savior and Master. We rejoice in Him
because we know He loves us more than anyone else and beyond what we can fully
understand. He is not only our Lord, but also our Advocate and encourager. He
strengthens us no matter what is happening and that is why we can rejoice in
the Lord, because we know He cares deeply.
Secondly, Paul is
commanding us in an encouraging way to rejoice “always” because no matter what
is happening Christ is always by our side. If we are a Believer, He is always
with us in all that we encounter. If we have a Heavenly mindset or perspective,
we will discern that in the midst of horrible events, we can rejoice that God
knows exactly what is happening and has the answers we need for coping and
working through our situation. We can rejoice always because God’s peace, power
and provision are always available, because He is always available.
In verse five we have
another challenging encouragement from Paul. He states, “Let your gentleness
be evident to all. The Lord is near.” First, Paul is assuming that we are
gentle in our demeanor. He is implying that if we are close to the Lord in our
relationship with Him then we will have the gentleness of Christ that will be
demonstrated by how we treat others and react to situations. What happens if
you read this verse as a Christian and you know that you aren’t really that
“gentle?” It would very likely convict you that you need to work on this area
of your life as well as your relationship with the Lord.
Secondly, Paul adds the
short comment, “The Lord is near.” There is a hunk of intent in these
four words. While we might be gentle in our outward behavior, true gentleness
comes from a Christ-like heart and this is generated from being filled with the
Spirit as well as knowing that Jesus Christ is very near to us. Did you know
that Christ is “NEAR” to you at all times? That means when you are gentle as
well as when you are rash, rude and inconsiderate. Reminding the Philippians
and us today that “The Lord is near” causes us to remind ourselves that Christ
is always aware of our actions. The phrase, “The Lord is near” also reminds the
readers that the return of the Lord is near and with His coming is a judgment
of actions and behavior which are a result of the degree we are committed to
the Lord.
Next Paul writes two more
precious verses that mean a lot to any of us who have ever felt anxious,
fearful and threatened by events in our lives. They say,
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and
petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of
God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds
in Christ Jesus.”
Here again is yet another strong encouragement.
Paul says, “DO NOT be anxious about ANYTHING!” You might feel that’s
easy for him to say. But in reality Paul knew exactly what it was like to be
put in a situation that could make you feel anxious. He had been beaten
numerous times, arrested and put in chains, locked in jail. He had been
shipwrecked, abused both physically and verbally not to mention experiencing
assorted other hardships and trials. He had learned that by praying to God and
giving thanks to Him in all situations, a peace that defies explanation can be
granted by the Lord. This gift of peace from God descends upon us if we make
our request known and it guards our hearts and minds from the caustic eroding
effects of the stress and trauma of difficult situations.
Paul next shares two more verses that are full
of challenging encouragements. He is laying out guidelines for righteous
living. These guidelines that God is communicating through Him are parameters
for what we should allow our eyes to see, our ears to hear, our hands to do,
our feet to carry us to and our thoughts to dwell on. He states,
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever
is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if
anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. Whatever you
have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me — put it into
practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
Can you imagine the effect
these two verses would have on Christ’s church if every Christian would just
obey these short-encouraging commands? Would the church be unified? Yes. Would
all Christians everywhere be godly examples of Jesus Christ? Yes. Would the
maturity level in the lives of Christian rise dramatically? Yes. Would
non-believers be so attracted to the gospel lived out in Christians that we
would not have room for them in our Sunday services? Absolutely. Paul is
talking here about the basics of living as a Christian should. Living as a
Christian, is living as Christ would.
In the next part of
chapter four of Philippians Paul shares about how he is rejoicing that the
Philippians have renewed their concerns for him and he knows that they have
been unable to demonstrate their concern in ways they would like. He tells them
that he is saying this not because he is in need, but because he has learned
the secret if you will, of being able to put into practice everything he is
encouraging them to do. He can rejoice always and demonstrates his Christ-like
gentleness to those around him. He is not anxious about anything because he
regularly prays to God. Because of this, his heart and mind is guarded and at
peace. He focuses his thoughts on things that are true, noble, right, pure,
lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. By living like Christ in this
manner he has a peace that passes understanding. But there is another benefit
he shares that is the result of this lifestyle based on Christ. He says in verse
eleven through twelve:
“I have learned to be
content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know
what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any
and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in
want.”
This is the result of
living your life like Christ. And how can you do all this? Listen to the next
verse and you will have your answer.
“I can do everything
through Him who gives me strength.”
Other scriptures parallel this truth,
that living like Christ is a necessary part of being a Christian. We do this by
having faith in Jesus and letting our Heavenly Father give us the strength to
accomplish it.
Galatians 2:20
“I have been crucified with Christ and I
no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by
faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Colossians 2:6-7
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to
live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were
taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”
Our call and responsibility is to
live as Christ would live. This means:
Rejoicing in the Lord.
Letting our gentleness be evident
to others.
Praying to God rather than being
anxious.
Dwelling on things that are
truthful, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy.
Being content in whatever
circumstance we are in.
Knowing that beyond a shadow of a
doubt that we can do all things with the strength God gives us.
"There are many who
preach Christ, but not so many who live Christ. My great aim will be to live Christ." – R. C. Chapman