Favorites from Paul's Letter to the Philippians
I think everyone who reads the Bible finds they have favorite books to which they return often. One of mine is Paul's letter to the Philippians. What follows are some selections for you to meditate on, and some comments.
Several years ago when we lived in California, our then-Bible-study leader decided to teach from this book. I remember he stayed with this verse for some time: "Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel" (1:27). Every time I have read this verse since, I have been struck by the phrase, "manner of life," and how other passages in the same letter seem to reflect my "manner of life." For example: "Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others" (2:3-4), verses which speak for themselves.
Later in the letter, Paul addresses an issue common to most of us: anxiety: "The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brother, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things" (4:5b-8).
So if you struggle with anxiety, here is God's own "cure": recognize His presence, appeal to Him regarding whatever concerns you (prayer, supplication, not forgetting thanksgiving), and anticipate His peace will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.
Then use this grid through which to test your thoughts: Is it true? Is it honorable? Is it just? Is it pure? Is it lovely? Is it commendable? Is it excellent? Is it praiseworthy?
Any thoughts which do not pass these tests are not to be entertained.
Several years ago when we lived in California, our then-Bible-study leader decided to teach from this book. I remember he stayed with this verse for some time: "Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel" (1:27). Every time I have read this verse since, I have been struck by the phrase, "manner of life," and how other passages in the same letter seem to reflect my "manner of life." For example: "Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others" (2:3-4), verses which speak for themselves.
Later in the letter, Paul addresses an issue common to most of us: anxiety: "The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brother, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things" (4:5b-8).
So if you struggle with anxiety, here is God's own "cure": recognize His presence, appeal to Him regarding whatever concerns you (prayer, supplication, not forgetting thanksgiving), and anticipate His peace will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.
Then use this grid through which to test your thoughts: Is it true? Is it honorable? Is it just? Is it pure? Is it lovely? Is it commendable? Is it excellent? Is it praiseworthy?
Any thoughts which do not pass these tests are not to be entertained.
posted by Ebeth | 10:01 AM
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