Philippians 4-5.21.21

Scripture  

Philippians 4:8-9  

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.  The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Observation-What does it say?  

Paul is the author of this letter to the church at Philippi.  It was most likely written while he was imprisoned in Rome, awaiting trial before the emperor (Acts 28:16).  Throughout the letter, Paul expresses his love and gratitude for this church, especially in their willingness to suffer with him and for their generosity towards him (1:29).  He also takes time to warn against other doctrines, like perfectionism and circumcision, that were beginning to take root in this group of believers (3:2-13).  He finishes off his letter with words of encouragement and reminds them to rejoice.    The irony of the situation never ceases to amaze me.  Paul, while in prison, is telling others to rejoice.  Throughout his journey to Rome, he was beaten, stoned and shipwrecked, but he never allows this to create bitterness in him.  He never shows an attitude of self-pity or depression over his situation.  Instead Paul chooses to focus on the surpassing greatness of God’s power and the richness of His glory (Ephesians 1:18-19).  Paul’s contentment is found not in the temporary, but in the eternal goodness and strength of God (4:13).  In addition to his focus on God’s goodness and strength, Paul also had his sights set on continual growth (3:12-14), never attaining the full knowledge of Christ, but always striving for it until the day of resurrection.

Understanding-What does it mean?  

They say you have the most vivid memory of your first and most recent of certain experiences.  I have some pretty vivid memories of my first summer running with my high school cross country team. I remember the extreme exhaustion I felt on my first “long” run, which was only four miles, a distance I would later quadruple in single runs.  I remember the pain of running the “S” hill at nauseum.  I remember the excitement I had getting my first uniform.  I remember the dusty smell of the warm air in my coaches classroom, one of the modular classes that were situated by the basketball courts.  And I remember sitting there as she told us to write down our goals for that season.  Goal setting wasn’t entirely new to me, but what she had us do next was different.  As a team, we sat with our eyes closed and imagined what it was going to feel like when we obtained these goals.  She had us imagine how effortless it was going to feel to run our fastest times and win races.  This was my first experience with the practice of having a positive mindset.

Paul was clearly a man light years ahead of his time.  In writing these verses to the church in Philippi, he expresses practices that wouldn’t be written by psychologists for almost two thousand years.  In our spiritual lives, probably even more than our physical lives, the practice of a positive mindset, or a growth mindset, sets us on a path for success.  If we sit and ponder the reasons why we can’t overcome our sin, we simply won’t.  But, if we focus our attention on God’s strength, His grace, and the power he gives us to move ever closer to Him, we will.  A fixed mindset says “I can’t,” a growth mindset says “I haven’t yet, but I will.”  Even if we slip up, God’s grace is sufficient for us.  We can always get back up and keep moving towards the love of God and away from the destruction of the world. 

Life Application  

Jesus, help me to keep my eyes set on you, the author and perfecter of my faith.  Help me to know that by seeking you, you will give me the desires of my heart.  But, help me to make the desires of my heart align with your will.  As I walk through life, help me to walk closer and closer to you each day.     

-Tyler Galloway