So many times we read the same Scripture time and time again. The words are great. The meaning floods our hearts, enlightens our minds, reminds us, instructs us, comforts us....But every so often we read a Scripture or listen to a teaching on it, and a new light shines on those old familiar words. That happened for me this week when I was listening to our Pastor in a small Bible study we have on Thursday mornings.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
Well loved, often quoted, prayed over, memorized and practiced. We go through our days with the goal of keeping our minds on Jesus, thinking over His attributes. We focus on the good things, the heavenly things...true, noble, just, pure....Keep our minds off the negative, thinking of the sinful desires lurking in our flesh, the malicious thoughts when someone hurts us and so on. We desire to be obedient to these words in Philippians.
But what if we look at it another way. To do this we need to go back a few verses. Now our lessons over the last couple of Thursdays revolved around forgiving others and asking others for forgiveness. Lets take a look at those verses that come before verse 8.
Philippians 4:2-8 2 I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
Apparently a couple of ladies in this group of believers had some kind of disagreement. Paul asked the other brethren to help them reconcile. He reminded them that they had all worked together for the Gospel.
We usually look at the following verses as unrelated, in a sense, to the disagreement between those two ladies. But what if we put them together? What if the verses after verse 2 are instructions on how to get past our disagreements? Remember working together. Stay joyful. Remember the Lord is coming (do we really want Him to find us angry with each other?). Don't worry about what someone did or didn't do. Pray about it, give it over to God, and thank Him for the gift of your fellow believer (it's hard to stay mad at someone you are praying about and being thankful for). Then His peace will come.
And verse 8..this was the one that really stood out to me in a new way: Look at the person you are mad at in the ways listed here. Look for the good in them. Think about the things about them that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and worthy of praise. Apply these verses to how you see those who have hurt you, those you are angry with....let it bring the spirit of forgiveness into your heart. And let it cause you to ask for forgiveness for your part of the argument.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. God's Word is alive! It grows in us, blossoms into the exact thing we need in the exact moment. It bears fruit in our hearts. It shows us where we need to act, how we need to think and pray. It corrects and admonishes us, strengthens us and lays our hearts bare before the Lord. It outshines the brightest multi-faceted diamond to light our understanding in new ways leading us to come closer to our Lord and each other. What a beautiful gift the Word is.
Is there someone you've been mad at? What are your thoughts towards that person? Are you at fault in any way? Try applying God's Word to your heart and mind regarding this person. Praying for them, looking for the good, and remembering you former fellowship. The Lord tells us we are all one body. I've never had one of my body parts mad at the others. LOL
Lord, thank You for Your Word to us. Thank You for letting it bring light and love into our hearts. I pray that if we are thinking poorly of another believer You will correct us and let us make reconciliation with them. Let us remember Romans 12:18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Let us honor You be living in peace with each other. And let that peace show to all around us in a glorious witness of You. In Jesus' Name, amen.
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