Bible study on Philippians (Chapters 4)
Philippians 4
he epistle of Philippians is one of the seven prison letter of Paul. It is the letter written to encourage and motivate the believers at Philippi to rejoice in the Lord in the midst of sufferings. In fact, the true and real joy are “in Christ” only. Therefore, every believer can rejoice in the Lord (Read the previous meditations). Let us consider the last chapter of Philippians:
Joy, Peace, Strength and Sufficiency in the Lord
In chapter 4, we have four vital resources (or needed things) that a believer has in the Lord – Joy, peace, strength and sufficiency.
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Joy
Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. (Philippians 4:4-5).
The utmost purpose of our salvation is to rejoice in the Lord. Therefore it was said or written repeatedly (that we rejoice in the Lord). It is the Lord who gives us joy, it is the gift of God. Let us consider the following references for further meditation:
- Psalm 4: 7 – Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.
- Habakkuk 3:17-18 – Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
The joy that God gives us is more than what the materialistic world offers to us. The joy from the Lord does not depend on the circumstances or happenings around us. Thus, is it more permanent.
We have a connection between the “joy” and “moderation” in the above verses (Philippians 4: 4-5). We need to moderate in this world to enjoy the joy of the Lord fully (meditate further on this aspect).
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Peace
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).
We are living in the world of care. But the encouragement from the Lord is “be careful for nothing”. It does mean that the Lord is taking care of us (1 Peter 5:7). The Lord has taken the complete responsibility of our well being in this world as a great shepherd.
Our minds and hearts are constantly attacked by the cares of the world. Therefore, the peace of God will guard our minds and hearts. As the joy in the Lord is permanent, the peace of God is surpassing all knowledge. Our God is the God of Peace. He will enable us to enjoy His peace (John 14:27) in the troublesome world.
In order to have such peace of God we need to pray and take all our cares and concerns to the Lord in prayer, “in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God”.
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Strength.
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13
God is our strength as He was for David (Psalm 18). A child of God can do all things through the strength of Christ, both in Spiritual and Physical worlds. Especially with respect to Philippians 4: 11-12.
We need to be content in whatever state that the Lord has kept us in.
The Lord has promised that He will meet all our “needs” (Matthew 6:33) (but we should not strive for our “wants”).
When we are after “wants” we are not content with what God has promised to us and we become unnecessarily anxious. -
Sufficiency (or supply of need)
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
Again, we notice that the Lord knows our need in Philippians 4:19. Our heavenly Father know all our needs (Matthew 6:8; Matthew 6:32).
Our needs are met (supplied) by our Lord according to His riches in glory. That (riches in His glory) is the measure according to which He will supply our needs.
Questions to meditate:
- What is moderation and how to be moderate in this world?
- How to make God as our strength? (Are you content in whatever state that you are in?)
- What is difference between “needs” and “wants”?
Moderation –> This is really hardest with our strengh unless we carry the cross everyday otherwise nature of the flesh not let us to show our moderation.
Yes. Bro. Suresh, you are right regarding the moderation.