To review from part 1, Philippians 4:4-13 “4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. 5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 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. 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. 10 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. 11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12 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. 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
God’s people would do well to read and adhere to the things stated in verse 8 above. When this is done there is no room for sin in our lives. While it is true that no one dwells on these things continually, and we all sin and come short of the Glory of God, let us also realize that it is possible to have these virtues listed in the text on our minds predominately and if we do we will have a better attitude and outlook on life in general.
O, that all men would be able to say what Paul said in verse 9 above, that the things the Philippians had learned, received, heard, and seen in him, if they would do them that the God of peace would be with them.
This was not arrogance, it is simply a man who knew that he had been chosen of God and that he had taught the people Godly things that he received of God. In seeing and hearing these things present in him he related to them that the God of Peace would be with them also.
Philippians 4:13, one of the most recognized and most quoted scriptures in the Bible, wherein Paul said, “13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” You and I would do good to remember that in our daily lives instead of worrying, grumbling, murmuring, which regrettably this author is prone to do sometimes. We can do all of the things listed in Philippinas 4:4-9 if we have Christ to strengthen us, but never ever will we be able to accomplish these things if we try to do them ourselves.
Ricky Wilborn Fort Payne, AL
