Philippians 4 v4.-7

In these four verses, which are the Epistle for Sunday services, we have the marks of the  Christian Church.

The Apostle Paul sets before the Philippians two qualities of Life. The first is joy. When he says rejoice, he has in mind an image of what may happen in the days ahead. He was in prison at this time, with the prospect of execution facing him; but the Philippians were facing dark days, with dangers and persecutions ,as they were beginning to live the Christian way,

Paul said, he knew what he was  saying, and may happen.  Christian joy did not depend on what may  happen on earth, but on the continual  presence of Christ. Just as two people in love are happy when together, no matter where they were, this is why the Christian should never lose joy because Jesus is always with him or her.  He then said, let your moderation be known to all.

The Greeks said a law or regulation may appear to be justice, but some cases could be unjust.  A person has the quality to now when not to apply the law strictly, in order to show mercy.

For example, two students may sit an examination, and one will receive eighty marks, whilst the other only get fifty marks, both of which are acceptable. When the results were analyzed, it was found the student with the high marks had access to several books, and lived in a peaceful home.  The second student lived in a poor home with no books to guide.  If based on justice, both students did equally well, but if as was passed on quality, the teacher may decide not to be too strict but to show understanding.

Paul sees the Christian knows there is something apart from justice. When the Priests took the woman who had committed adultery to Jesus to be stoned, but Jesus did not penalize her, but said the first one to admit they had not sinned, could throw the first stone. There was no response, and they overlooked the fact that it takes two to commit adultery, and only one was picked on.

Paul stated the mark of Christian in a personal relationship, must know when to act and when not to act. Which makes a man like God

The reason Paul stated, was the Lord is at hand. If we remain for the coming of Christ, then we shall never lose hope or joy.  Life is short, and when the end comes, we shall not wish for enforcement of justice, which so often derides people.  We will wish  to have God deal with us in love.

In verses 6 and 7, life for the Philippians was bound to be a worrying time. Even being a human being in a human situation, was to be vulnerable to all the chances of this mortal life, is in it- self a worrying time.  To a Christian in the early Church was a worry, and in any situation took his life in his hands. Paul’s solution was prayer.  In this passage, there is  a whole philosophy of prayer.

Paul stressed, that we can take everything to God in prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving.  As it has been beautifully stated, there is nothing too great for God’s power; and nothing too small for His care.  A child can take things large or small to a parent, so we can take anything to our heavenly Father.  A child is quite sure that whatever happens to it, is of interest of mother and father.  The triumphs and disappointments, the cuts and bruises, all can be taken without doubting that the parents are willing to listen. We should do likewise to God.

We can bring our prayer requests to God; can pray for ourselves; for the present or past and for guidance for the future; pray for all our shame; for all our needs; with all our fears take everything to God,  We an pray for others, and commend to God’s care those who are near or far, and for those ever in our memories  and within our hearts,

Paul lays down that prayer must be accompanied by thanksgiving.  It  was his conviction that every prayer must include thanksgiving.  The Christian must feel, as it has been put, that all life  as it were suspended between past and present blessings.  All prayer must include thanks for the privilege  of prayer, and we should be thankful for being able to take everything to God. This emphasizes gratitude and perfect submission to the will of God,  It is only  when we are fully  convinced that God is making all things work together for good, that we can really feel to Him the perfect gratitude which believing  prayer demands.

When we pray, we must remember three things. We remember the love of God which seeks and desires what is good for us. We must remember the wisdom of God which alone can bring the things that are best for us   There are those who pray with a perfect belief and trust in the love and wisdom and the power of God will find God’s peace.

The result if believing prayer, is that the peace of God will stand guard in our hearts.  That peace Paul said, passes all understanding.  It means that the peace of God is a mystery, that human mind cannot understand, but is true.  It means the peace of God is so precious, that the human mind with all its skill and knowledge can never contrive it or find or prove it.  It is entirely beyond our ability to obtain. This is only of God’s giving.  The way to peace is to take ourselves and all we hold dear, to take all life and place them and ourselves trusting in the hands of God

We thank God with true hearts and praise His Holy Name.  May .He be Glorified