Pastor Luther Walker continues teaching from the book of Philippians, focusing on the peace of God that guards the hearts of believers. He reviews the previous discussion on carefully noting those who walk according to a proper pattern in the Christian life, contrasting them with those who walk as enemies of the cross. These individuals often present themselves as Christian teachers or pastors yet speak falsehoods, display lifestyles inconsistent with their words, pursue earthly desires with their belly as their god, and maintain minds fixed on earthly things. Believers instead hold citizenship in the heavens, a term connected to the concept of politics, and must therefore set their minds on heavenly realities and their identity in Christ.
In Philippians 4:2, Paul urges Euodia and Syntyche to share the same frame of mind in the Lord amid their disagreement. This call aligns with Colossians 3:2, which directs believers to set their minds on things above rather than earthly things, and with Philippians 3:16, which instructs mature believers to walk by the same rule and maintain the same frame of mind. Paul presses on according to the goal of maturity in Christ on the basis of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, already possessed rather than something to be earned. He then urges true companions to help these women who have labored with him in the gospel, along with Clement and other fellow workers whose names are written in the book of life. The book of life contains the names of the saved; once written, a name cannot be removed. Revelation 3:5 affirms that the overcomer—defined as the one who believes Jesus is the Son of God—will never have his name blotted from the book of life, expressed with the strongest possible negation.
Paul commands believers to rejoice in the Lord always, repeating the instruction. Rejoicing involves a favorable disposition that can be expressed even in suffering, as seen in Colossians 1:24 and Philippians 1:18, where Paul rejoices that Christ is proclaimed regardless of the motives of those preaching. Because the Lord is near, believers are to let their gentleness be known to all people. Gentleness consists of a reasonable aptitude of fairness and the willingness to yield personal rights for the benefit of others. It is distinct from the fruit of the Spirit; the term often translated as gentleness or meekness in Galatians 5:23 actually refers to objectivity of mind. This quality appears as a requirement for overseers in 1 Timothy 3:3 and for all believers in Titus 3:2. Romans 13:11–12 reminds believers that salvation is nearer than when they first believed, urging them to cast off works of darkness and walk properly as in the day.
Philippians 4:6–7 instructs believers to be anxious for nothing. Anxiety is excessive worry arising from concerns about unchangeable matters and produces a divided mind. Instead, in everything, by worship and supplication with thanksgiving, requests are to be made known to God. Scripture distinguishes multiple forms of communication with God: worship, which gives God credit for who He is and what He has done; praise, which confesses His name and character; thanksgiving, an attitude of gratitude; intercession on behalf of others; supplication, a cry for help; asking according to His will; confession, agreeing with God that an action is sin; and a vow. The peace of God, which surpasses the mind, then guards the hearts and the conclusions of the minds of believers in Christ Jesus.
Additional resources are available at WordofGraceStudies.org for verse-by-verse teachings and notes, and at thechristianlife.org for ongoing Bible teaching throughout the week.
