PHILIPPIANS 4:1-13 – LEARNING THE PEACE OF GOD
- Peace with God does not have to be learned, it is a result of believing in Jesus Christ as Savior. Romans 5:1, Ephesians 2:8-9
- The peace of God, however, is learned as we practice our faith. Usually, we point to just a few verses that teach this. Isaiah 26:3-4, John 14:27, Philippians 4:6-7
- These are all great passages. But there are more verses involved in truly knowing the peace of God. Philippians 4:1-13 gives us even more than verses 6-7 beautifully offer us.
STAND FAST – Philippians 4:1 – Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
BE UNIFIED – Philippians 4:2-3 – I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlaborers, whose names are in the book of life.
REJOICE ALWAYS – Philippians 4:4 – Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
BE GENTLE – Philippians 4:5 – Let your moderation (gentleness) be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
FLEE ANXIETY – Philippians 4:6a – Be careful for nothing;
EMBRACE PRAYER – Philippians 4:6b-7 – …but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
THINK PROPERLY – Philippians 4:8 – Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
OBEY FAITHFULLY! – Philippians 4:9 – Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
LEARN CONTENTMENT – Philippians 4:10-12 – But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
TRUST EXPLICITLY – Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Practicing the peace of God will take time, obedience, and energy, but it’s worth it!
