Don't
Worry, Be Happy
[Philippians
chapter four]
Last
week when we concluded our in-depth analysis of the third chapter of
the book of Philippians, we obtained comprehension about rejoicing in
the Lord, as well as comparing our walk with Christ to running in a
marathon race of endurance in order to win first prize. We don't do
so like a sprint or a 100-yard dash, but rather as a marathon race
where all participants must be in that race for the long haul. The
principal difference between running this particular marathon, a race
that comprises entire lifetimes, is that everybody who finishes wins.
Contrast that with sporting or Olympic events, where there is one
winner and one loser, or where only first, second and third prizes
are offered. But when we run towards a personal, 1-on-1 relationship
with Jesus Christ, instead of medals made of gold, silver or bronze,
we receive the ultimate prize of eternal life with the Father, the
Son and the Holy Spirit. Rather than being here on earth, our
trophies are in heaven, in New Jerusalem (see Revelation chapters 21
and 22 for details). Regarding the act and the lifestyle of rejoicing
in the Lord no matter what our circumstances, the apostle Paul
continues and enlarges on this topic, beginning in chapter four and
verse one.
“Therefore,
my brothers, you whom I long for, my joy and crown, that is how you
should stand firm in the Lord, my friends! I plead with Euodia and I
plead with Synteche to agree with each other in the Lord. Yes, and I
ask you, loyal yoke-fellow, help these women who have contended at my
side in the cause of the Gospel, along with Clement and the rest of
my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in
the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be
evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything, by prayer and petition,with thanksgiving, present
your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all
understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is
right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable –
if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.
Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me
– put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
(Phil. 4, verses 1-9, NIV)
Paul was pleading with two women church members who
apparently had an argument or strong disagreement of an unknown
nature. The names and the argument are unimportant. What matters the
most here is that Paul wants them to rally around Christ and himself
(in that order) for the sake of the Church and the Gospel. Instead of
arguments and contention among themselves, Paul wrote, they should be
contending together for the cause of Jesus Christ. In order to do
this, Paul wrote, we can all start by rejoicing in the Lord. I can
easily put this into perspective. If Jesus walked into the room or
into your church right in the middle of worship, what would you do?
Would you sit in your chair with your arms folded? Of course not! You
would be jumping up and down like children on Christmas morning! You
would be running up to Him in order to thank him for saving your soul
and your life, or trying to touch him for his healing, or falling
down on your knees and crying out to him in worship as the Son of
God. Everyone would be quite emotional, to say the least, and I dare
say that would include myself as well. Rejoicing in the Lord and
praising him should come as naturally to us as breathing or walking.
Well guess what? Jesus is already there with us all, not just at
church on Sunday (or Saturday, depending on your beliefs and your
faith) but at every waking moment of our lives, even when we are fast
asleep. Jesus never leaves us, as he said: “Never will I leave
you or forsake you”.
“Do
not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and
petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
“The Lord is near”, Paul wrote, and it's ever so true. Therefore,
whatever is lovely, admirable, kind, generous, truthful, loyal,
patient, kind, excellent or praiseworthy, let's all make these things
the focus of our lives as we re-double our efforts to become all of
the above to the best of our abilities. I said this before and I'll
include it in this lesson once again – Jesus is with us all the
time. He is watching what we do and He's listening to everything we
say. Act as if Jesus is right beside you, because he is. Practice all
these things, Paul wrote, and the “peace of God” that is beyond
all human comprehension or understanding will be with us wherever we
go. So now let's conclude our study of the book of Philippians
starting at verse 10.
“I
rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your
concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no
opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need,
for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know
what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I
have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation,
whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I
can do everything through Him who gives me strength. Yet it was good
of you to share in my troubles. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in
the early days of your acquaintance with the Gospel, when I set out
from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving
and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica,
you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. Not that I am
looking for a gift, but I am looking for what can be credited to your
account. I have received full payment and even more; I am amply
supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you
sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing
to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious
riches in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and
ever. Amen. Greet all the saints in Christ Jesus. The brothers who
are with me send greetings. All the saints send you greetings,
especially those who belong to Caesar's household. The grace of the
Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. (Philippians 4, verses
10-23, NIV)
“I
have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it
is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have
learned the secret of being content in any and every situation,
whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I
can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”
Let's pause right here and ask ourselves these key questions: Are we
content no matter what? Do we let bad situations and bad people ruin
our day? If we're broke and hungry, unemployed, or distraught, do we
handle these types of circumstances well? Conversely, if we're
rolling in money and good fortune, or if we get a job promotion or a
pay raise, or a better job, do we gloat about it in the presence of
others who are less fortunate than we are? Do we “cop an attitude”
and let our good fortune go to our heads? If so, any person who does
these things is simply not walking in the Spirit of Christ. Those
people can tell me all day long about their alleged Christianity and
it won't matter because they're lying to me and to themselves. “I
can do all things”,
Paul wrote, “through
Jesus Christ who strengthens me”.
Christ is the focal point, not ourselves. As Christian author Max
Lucado wrote, “It's not about me. It's all about Him.” This is
something that I must work at every day, and so it is with all of us.
Depending on Jesus when we were formerly accustomed to being
self-sufficient, self-reliant and independent individuals does not
come easily to anyone. I grew up in foster care, with no real family
of my own, so I became a fiercely independent person by the time I
was a teenager. From that standpoint alone, depending on Christ and
waiting on him was difficult for me, and some days it still is. But I
focus on doing better one day at a time, because it's easier that way
and it allows me to have a closer walk with Christ. And I pray that
you all have an equally closer walk with Him who strengthens you as
well. I will close this study by quoting the apostle Paul – “To
our God and Father be glory forever and ever.... The grace of the
Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.”
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