Paul’s Path to Peace
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice’ Philippians 4:4
In four chapters Paul tells the Philippian Christians to ‘rejoice’ no less than eight times. Quite amazing when you remember he is writing from a wretched Roman prison.
The verse above opens a practical list from a seasoned warrior of how to guard your spiritual life from the wiles of the world, the flesh and the devil.
(1) rejoice (v.4) – rejoice in the Lord. Don’t miss that part. Life might be tough but Jesus loves you dearly and reigns supremely
(2) maintain a gentle spirit (v.5) – in the midst of a blinded, harsh and sometimes violent world
(3) live in the knowledge that Jesus’ return is near (v.5) – every wrong will be put right at the final judgement and every right action and reaction of God’s people will be rewarded
(4) keep anxiety at bay by maintaining a strong prayer life (v.6) – build thankfulness into your praying as you bring everything before God and in so doing, bar the way for anxiety to creep in. God’s supernatural peace is His promise (v.7)
(5) guard your thinking – ruthlessly deal with your thought life, only letting in thoughts that are wholesome and beneficial (v.8)
(6) copy the behaviour of godly Christian leaders – men and women who have proven lives and whose integrity stands untarnished (v.9)
Paul concludes his list with a repeated promise to those who do these things, ‘And the God of peace will be with you’ (v.9).
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