The Resurrected Jesus by David Limbaugh & Christen Limbaugh Bloom

Author:David Limbaugh & Christen Limbaugh Bloom
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Regnery Publishing
Published: 2022-09-06T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 4

Paul opens by encouraging his beloved Philippians, who bring great joy to him, to stay strong in the Lord. He fervently wants them to experience love, joy, and peace, and that is only possible if they make Christ the center of their lives.59 He strongly encourages unity in the church, which might be especially on his mind because of apparent dissension between church members Euodia and Syntyche, whom he singles out by name, encouraging them to come together in the Lord. He asks an unnamed companion of his to help reconcile these women, who formerly worked side by side with Paul in spreading the gospel, along with others, all of whom are saved by virtue of their faith in Christ.

After these greetings Paul pens some of the most uplifting verses in the Bible (4:4–9), words that have provided much encouragement to us and that we have shared with others who needed reassurance and a little boost for their faith. If you’re ever down, open up your Bible to these verses: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (4:4–7).

No matter what difficulties we face in life, we can always turn to Jesus and rejoice in Him because we know our final destination is with Him. Paul is not playing mind games or asking his readers to pretend they won’t experience hardship and suffering. In fact, we have seen that he assures them of the opposite. Rather, he’s saying that if they are in Christ they can enjoy an abiding happiness internally that will transcend whatever external troubles they encounter. John MacArthur refers to it as “the inward tranquility of soul granted by God.”60 While our circumstances in life will constantly change, sometimes bringing hurt and heartache, the one thing that will never change is God’s consistent, effusive love and our permanent access to Him. If we are content in God through faith in His Son, we will have the strength to face and endure any problems life may throw our way.

Paul tells them, “Let your reasonableness (or gentleness) be known to everyone” (4:5). Paul is implying they will face difficulties and trying situations, but they should retain their equanimity through it all, as a consoling witness to others. Think of Christ, who always remained calm and of good cheer and never became defensive despite the insults hurled at him and the abuse he experienced. As Peter, an apostle and eyewitness to Christ’s life, explained, Christ “committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly” (1 Peter 2:22–23).

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