03-12-12 "Moral Excellence (A)" Philippians 4:1-9

This is the youngest of my 4 children.  Just a few moments after birth.  Her name is Faith.  She turns 1 in 14 days.  I remember how it felt to hold her.  It's something I could never explain though.  

The passage I read was Philippians 4:1-9

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+4%3A1-9&version=NIV

The verse that most stood out to me:

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, 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. 

As I reflect:

Paul starts off with “therefore”.  This indicates a continuance of previous thought.  The end of the last chapter discussed our looking forward to our Savior’s return and entering into our eternal citizenship in Heaven.  Paul says therefore, stand firm in the Lord…  This is a wonderful encouragement.  He is coming back so stand firm.  

Paul goes on to plead with 2 women who had  some sort of large disagreement to make up.  He tells them to be of one mind.  This is no different for us in Christ.  We ought to be of one mind.  If I and my brother are both focused on Christ, His return, our citizenship as eternal brothers in Heaven, then our arguments become meaningless.    We can hold no grudge against each other in this light.  We ought to not only love each other but help others to do the same.   Remember your name is in the book of life…Along with your brothers and sisters in faith. 

Verse 4 is a command to rejoice always in the Lord.  Verse 5 says to be gentle and to let it be seen.  Paul reminds us also in this verse that “the Lord is near”.  What a great reason to rejoice.  This may seem a separate topic from the above arguing women, but in fact it is one fluent topic.  It is a discussion of our moral integrity and united focus on our returning Savior.  It is a uniting thought that ought to cause us all to rejoice and (continuing in verse 6) be anxious for nothing.  Think about that.  I mean we get the distinct privilege and honor to come before God and speak, knowing that He hears us, considers our requests, and responds.  This alone should be cause for no anxiety.  How wonderful to rely on the most trustworthy being in existence and know that you are His beloved child.  Rejoice and know that you can make your requests known to the Lord.  Make your request known with thanksgiving and be patient in your petition.  This is not a time to make demands or wishes, but a time to humbly be allowed into the presence of the Most High to lay your burdens down.   Be thankful for the opportunity and the many wonders He does in your life.  Do this and receive the peace of God which passes all understanding.    This peace is a study all of its own.  

Indescribable but completely obtainable by each and every believer who comes before the Lord.  It’s like trying to explain the first moment you ever held your child to a person who has never had children.  It is completely beyond their ability to understand if they haven’t experienced it for themselves.  This is like the peace that God offers.  For those who have experienced this place or often do as they seek the Lord, it cannot be explained to a non-believer.  It must be experienced firsthand. 

As Paul wraps up the message he lays out the mindset and the things that a Christian ought to meditate on.  Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy, we ought to meditate on these things.  This goes back to the beginning of the passage in that as believers focused on and meditating on these things, our disagreements really can’t get out of hand as the 2 women Paul spoke of.  Again, if our minds are where they should be and every thought captive for Christ, then it is incredibly difficult to find ourselves so unjustly angry at and separated from a fellow believer. 

Paul wraps up with an incredibly bold statement.  It’s not the first time he has said it either.  “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.”  Wow Paul!  That’s confidence in the example you are setting.  I gotta admit I don’t have that same confidence in my walk.  I know my imperfections far too well to tell you to do as I do.  Rather, I encourage you reader be you saved or know you nothing of my Father, when you see me do or say something and you are curious to know if it is right or fitting for a man of God to do or say so, then by all means get your Bible, grab a concordance,  pull up a library of commentaries, and pray to the All Knowing God that He would reveal to you truth and guide you in understanding these great mysteries that we daily interpret and abide in by the Spirit of our Most High.  And if you find me to be faltering in my steps, then I implore you to assist me in love.  

My response to the Lord:

Lord, who is higher than you?  Who can stand among the Heavens and hold the Earth at such a distant view and yet fill every atom of its existence?  Who can write the mysteries of our existence and guide our paths?  My Father, I am nothing without you.  I need even you power in me to simply control how I treat or look at other believers.  I cannot even, think; breathe without you giving me my next breath.  Everything in me that is good comes from you Father.  I feel so human; so inescapably mortal.  I consider whom I advise by the wisdom you have given and then look at my life and see the great failures and sins I have committed.  I have sinned in anger against brethren.  How many times oh Lord will I be able to fall at your feet and again confess my mortal need for your immortality to cleanse me?  How many times My King will you lay your hands on my head and forgive me?  Your mercy is new on me every day and though wrath is my just deserves, you give me grace; abundantly you give.   I find myself again making yet another petition known before you, knowing you already know my request.  My King, make me more like you.  Fill me with your Spirit.  In the mighty name of Jesus… Fill me Lord.