Rejoice in the Lord

Dear Weekly Readers!

God’s Peace!

Today let us turn to God’s Word and prayerfully look into our Bibles at a few verses found in the book of Philippines chapter 4, found between verse 1 and 8.

I would like to read the first four verses to you without the names and personal references.  We will then begin to look more closely at this text.

Therefore, my brethren, stand fast in the Lord, whose names are in the book of life, Rejoice in the Lord away: and again I say, Rejoice.   

These words are verses 1-4 boiled down.  How wonderful to be able to share this with you today in this forum!  My brethren, those that are my brothers in Christ!  We can share His Word together today, all over the world!  What a blessing!  

What are the brethren to do?  Stand fast in the Lord!  Do not grow weary and weak; do not give way to the devil.  Rather, stand fast in the Lord, and in the power of HIS might!  He is the Way, the Truth and the Life!  He has made His enemies and, yes, even the whole world His footstool!  He can handle our problems.  Stand fast in the Lord!

Who are the brethren?  Those whose names are written in the book of life!  Those people that have repented, died to self, turned from self to God, and have been given the gift of life, the faith to believe, that Jesus is their Saviour and Lord!  Those whose robes are washed and are made white in the Blood of the Lamb!  All of these people all around the world are Paul’s brethren, my brethren, and the brethren of all other believers!  We are one in Christ Jesus!

The church is the bride of Christ!  Each individual believer is so precious in His eyes.  Just like the groom in today’s weddings looks at his bride, except in even a so much more perfect way and in a wholly perfect love! 

This is cause for Rejoicing, is it not?  This is why all Christians have the right to Rejoice in the Lord!  Their names are written in the book of life!  They have a spot reserved in Heaven through no merits of their own, but rather only because of the sovereign God who has granted the grace to believe, and written their new name in the book of life!

Is this you, dear believer?  Rejoice in the Lord!  And again I say Rejoice!

Now we must go back over verses 1-4.  Here we can see that there had been some issues between Euodias and Sytyche and others.   Paul encouraged all to be united and work together in the Gospel!   Are we doing that in our ministry?  Do we work together or fight between ourselves?  Do we forget we are one body, and that a body has many parts?  We must use all parts of the body of Christ! 

Now let us briefly go on to Verse 5.  Let your moderation be known unto all men.  The Lord is at hand.

The Lord is coming soon.  Let us watch and be ready.   This verse is one of the most commonly misused verses in scripture. The modern day version of this is moderation in all things.  There are many Christians who believe that you can partake in anything as long as you do it in moderation.  Of course, they are thinking of things like eating, drinking, etc.   As long as you do not overindulge, then you are doing fine.

Well, this type of thinking is not only wrong but it is opposed to Scripture. This is the only place in scripture where the word “moderation” is used.  The Greek word behind “moderation” means “gentle, patient, yielding.” In fact, it is used in other verses in the Scriptures.

(1 Tim 3:3) Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

(Titus 3:2) To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men.

(James 3:17) But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

(1 Pet 2:18) Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.

Can we see, dear reader, that rather than moderation becoming sort of a license for sin, it is actually a word that gives glory to the One that moderates us!   We must not misuse the Bible to meet our own ends. 

Verse 8 is very instructional to the believer.   Finally my 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.   

What Paul is speaking about is the Christian’s thought-life based on the great truths found in scriptures.  He is not talking about the power of positive thinking which is pushed in the world today. 

Proverbs 19:20-21 Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.

Sin begins and derives in or from the mind.... The Bible in many spots refers to the mind or heart.  Mark 7:20-23, for example.  (Please read.)

Have you ever thought that maybe what you are watching, reading, or daydreaming is causing you to think and do bad things?  

Whatsoever things are true…   

John 8:26 …. Jesus said:  he that sent me is true....

Romans 3:4 .… let God be true, but every man a liar….

If there be any praise….  Even in those people that are not necessarily our friends, the acts of kindness that they do are given and allowed by God.  Take the beauty of a flower.   We all agree that God created them and give God praise and glory.  Likewise when you see good things in anyone else, believe that it is God allowing those things.  Look at the good things in another and put the best construction on all that he does.

Think on these things…. Control what comes into your mind.  There is a saying in the USA that says, garbage in garbage out.  In other words, don’t expect good results from living an ungodly life or thought-life.  We reap what we sow, according to the Word.

Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

What ought we to do then in order to combat the enemy on these issues of the mind and the battle?

   •   We need the mind of Christ through conversion (repentance).

   •   We must avoid evil and unclean things from all sources.

   •   We must read God’s word.

   •   We should expose our minds to the great Christians throughout history.

      •   Listen to Christian music especially those that speak of our mighty God, Creator, Saviour. 

   •   Pray and be still….

Some years ago, there was a person on one of our city streets here in the USA that would eat out of the garbage, was always dirty, and lived so very poorly.  Finally, she was picked up by the police who found out that she lived in an apartment that was overrun with trash and very dirty.  However, they also found in her home almost one million USA dollars.   “Bag Mary” was a wealthy person, but she did not enjoy it or live that way.  She instead wallowed in the dirt like a pig.  Too many Christians also do this.  We get involved with the filth of this earth and this flesh.  We spend our time on those things of the world that are not edifying or beneficial to Christians.

We are the child of THE KING.  We ought to remember this and Stand Fast in the Lord and in the power of  His might!   Rejoice in the Lord alway!

A man was trying to explain to his son what the battle that rages in the heart of man was like.   He said they are like two dogs fighting.  The son asked the father, “Which one wins?”  The father said, “The one that gets fed the most.”

Which gets fed the most in your life, the flesh or the New Man?  I pray that it is not the flesh, because that only will lead one to destruction.   Rather, look to Jesus and you will be able to realize as stated at the end of Philippians 4:

19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

20 Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

May God Bless your week!

John Ruotsala