Consternation in the Congregation

           The Weekly Word this week is about a scripture that I’m sure we all have read but may not understand its significance. It’s found in the book of Philippians, chapter 4 verse 8 and 9.

          ⁸ Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things.  ⁹ Do what you have learned and received and heard from me, and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.  (from the Christian Standard Bible)

           Paul wrote to the Philippians from prison. He had several purposes in mind as he sat down and wrote this letter. A man named Epaphroditus, a Philippian well known and respected by them, was with Paul and he had become ill and nearly died, so:

1. Paul wanted to tell them that that their friend Epaphroditus had       recovered from the illness and was now doing well.
2. He wanted to encourage them in their faith, and to assure them that he was still in good spirits; and
3. He wanted to thank them for their continued support.

         However, there were several things happening in the church that he had heard about that greatly concerned him. 

      1. First, the church was being persecuted by a faction outside the

          faith. We are not told what the persecution was, just that that it

          was happening, and

      2. Second, they were being brought under the influence of false

          teachers, and

      3. Finally, there was dissension among the believers that was causing a

          separation within the group.

          I believe that this last one was of more concern to him than the persecution or the false teachers because of what he wrote in chapter 2:1-3: If, then, there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, ² make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. ³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. So, the questions become, “How do they do that?” “How do they think the same way?” And, “How do they become united in one spirit?”

           The answer is found in Verses 8 and 9:

             ⁸ Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things. ⁹ Do what you have learned and received and heard from me, and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. (from the Christian Standard Bible)

          By the renewing of the mind. Their mind--and take it one step further, OUR minds. How?

          By putting into the mind those things that are:

• True,
• Honorable,
• Just,
• Pure,
• Lovely.
• Commendable,
• have Moral Excellance, and are
• Praiseworthy

          The term Paul uses, in this translation, is dwell on these things. You can also use think on these things or fill your mind with these things. As we get closer the end times, these are the things that will keep us in His care.  As we draw nearer to Him, He draws us nearer to Himself, and we have what Paul describes in verses 7 and 9: ... the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. The peace of God, coming from the God of peace, will guard our hearts, separating us from the World and its tribulations. Isn’t that where you want to be?

Ed Johanson