17. REJOICING IN THE LORD ALWAYS (PHIL 4:4-9)

17. REJOICING IN THE LORD ALWAYS (PHIL 4:4-9):

Paul writes to the Philippians to rejoice in the Lord always, and again he writes to rejoice. And they shall not let their reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand, and they shall be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving they shall let their requests be made known to God. Everyone has their own life situations and problems, and thereby consistently being happy is not possible unless we find our rest in the Lord, irrespective of our likes and dislikes. Paul encourages that the believers shall find their reason for their practical lives from God and His word, and it shall be made known to all the people. The believers have an affirmation that the Lord Jesus is coming as a righteous judge, and there will be eternal life for all those who believe in Him and live for Him. Thereby, the believers shall not be anxious about the temporary things that disturb them, irrespective of their adverse extent. But instead, the believers shall completely rely on God by making their thoughts known to Him consistently through prayer and petitions by always glorifying God and through the genuine requests that are aligned with the will of God.

Then Paul writes that the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard their hearts and their minds in Christ Jesus. The works of God are extremely incomprehensible, and the peace of God is something that can be experienced only by the believers in the midst of the tough situations of life, for which the unbelievers cope in different ways, which have a lot of consequences to follow, or create some other issues to solve. The peace of God not only helps in tackling the different situations but also guards our feelings and our thoughts without being inclined to the pros and disappointed to the cons, but instead by focusing on the teachings and life of Christ Jesus, who is our perfect role model.

Paul then conclusively writes by calling them brothers that finally, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, they shall think about those things. Paul again expresses his closeness with the Philippians by calling them brothers and persuades them to follow somethings of higher values. True things are some things that agree with the word of God and help us know the truth. Honourable things are without any favouritism. Things that are just are with fairness. Pure things are without blame. Lovely things are with strong bondage and affection. Commendable things are socially acceptable and needed. And thinking about those things which are excellent and honoured above everything will be helpful to excel in everything by glorifying God.

And Paul writes that what they have learned and received and heard and seen in him, they shall practice those things, and the God of peace will be with them. In addition to the instructions, Paul writes to the Philippians to follow them as role models from not just from what they heard and received, but also what they have seen. Also, Paul emphasizes the importance of practicing what they have known, for really experiencing the peace of God who is always with them.

Stimulations for Self-Reflection:

1.      How should the Philippians rejoice?

2.      Is it possible to rejoice always? Justify.

3.      What should be known to all?

4.      What does it mean ‘The Lord is at hand’?

5.      How Philippians shall not be anxious?

6.      What surpasses all understanding? Why?

7.      What should the Philippians think about?

8.      What does Paul say to practice?

9.      How shall we not be anxious?

10.  How shall we realize the peace of God in our lives?

11.  How shall we follow the excellent and praiseworthy things?

Do you have anyone to follow as a role model? Ellaborate?

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