Philippians 4:1-9
Dean Niferatos reports that it was a routine morning on the Number 22 CTA bus
in Chicago. Office workers, restless punkers, and affluent shoppers filled
the seats and crowded the aisles. At the Clark and Webster stop, two men and
a woman climbed in. The driver, a seasoned veteran, immediately bellowed, “Everybody
watch your valuables. There are pickpockets on board.”
Women clutched their purses tightly. Men put their hands on their wallets.
All eyes fixed on the trio, who looking insulted and harassed didn’t break stride
as they promptly exited through the middle doors.
We are warned in the Bible of an eternal enemy and that we face the danger of
succumbing to this foe. This is a time to be unquestionably decisive in our
Christian walk.
WE
ARE EXHORTED TO STAND FAST — v. 4:1
Standing fast is the idea of remaining strong. Know the truth and remain firm
in your convictions. Don’t waver. Stay on track.
Most
believers do not like conflict, but being a Christian puts us right in the middle
of it! The apostle had reminded the Philippian believers that the adversaries
would be seeking to “terrify” them (1:27). The opposition will always be looming
in the shadows if not aggressively opposing us as we live out our faith. It
is in the face of this hostility that we must keep our eyes on our Lord and
be steadfast. We are not to take lightly our enemy. We are warned in I Corinthians
10:12 that the one who thinks he stands should take heed lest he fall. We must
not underestimate the tactics and power of the enemy. History gives us examples
of believers who have fallen: David, Samson, Peter, Demas, and many of our
contemporaries. And then, let us not forget our own battles! Our focus must
remain on the Lord. “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might”
(Ephesians 6:10).
WE
ARE ENCOURAGED TO STAND FAST — v. 1
Philippians 4 begins with the word “therefore.” It is a transition word that
means the following statements are built on the previous foundational statements.
And what foundational truths Paul reminds us of!
Paul’s own testimony is one of “pressing toward the goal for the prize of the
upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Then, he writes, “follow my example and
the examples of others who so walk.” He then reminds us that “our citizenship
is in heaven,” that Jesus is coming again, and that we are going to have new
bodies conformed to His glorious body. It follows in the theme of the Apostle
John. “Now are we the children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what
we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him!”