Very appropriately, this is a letter of triumphant joy in Christ and his finished work.
Paul ends the letter in 4:23 saying: The grace of our Master יהושע Messiah be with you all. Amĕn.
God's grace - Jesus!
Cutting to the core
The letter to the Philippians is quite interesting, but in this post I will focus on the conclusion.
The letter to the Philippians is quite interesting, but in this post I will focus on the conclusion.
The core message is to be of one accord, like-mindedness in Christ, to focus on Him alone.
Nothing matters, except Christ.
He is your joy.
He is your salvation.
He is your healing.
He is your provision.
He is your strong tower.
He is your rock.
He is your courage.
He is your victory.
He is your strength.
He is you living hope.
He is your answer.
He is your passion.
He is your rest ...
He is all you need!
Consider your mountain?
No!
Mix it with anything else?
NO!
And rejoice
And rejoice
We have only one response - the one Paul suggests when he concludes in Philippians 4:4-8:
Rejoice in יהוה alway:
and again I say, Rejoice.
Let your gentleness be known unto all men.
The Master is at hand [eggus - near or close. Remember Rom 10:8 - He is in your heart and in your mouth!][Also see this previous post]
The Master is at hand [eggus - near or close. Remember Rom 10:8 - He is in your heart and in your mouth!][Also see this previous post]
Be anxious for nothing;
but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known unto יהוה.
And the peace of יהוה, which passeth all understanding, shall keep [watch or protect] your hearts and minds through the Messiah יהושע.
Finally, brethren,
whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report;
if there be any virtue,
and if there be any praise,
think on these things.
Focus
Paul says: filter your mind by the peace you have come to know in that Christ had done all, filtering whatever whoever brings to you through the mind of Christ.
Paul says: filter your mind by the peace you have come to know in that Christ had done all, filtering whatever whoever brings to you through the mind of Christ.
Let not your hearts and minds, founded upon Grace Himself, be stirred and polluted with another doctrine that says you should not think of whatsoever is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, a Good Report (the Gospel of Grace), virtue, praise ...
Anything else will take your mind of of Jesus.
Compose yourselves!
Don't be anxious!
See Jesus!
Focus on Jesus!
We have reason to rejoice!
HalleluYAH!