Coronavirus VS Christ

introduction

recent situation of developing wuhan coronavirus

many people have no mood for CNY celebration

the whole world is alerted, including Christian who always claimed to have peace. where is the peace? How should we Christian respond in such situation?

Our scripture passage this morning gives us the answer. though the background is from Paul who were in the prison writing to the Christians who were suffered for their commitment to Christ, the advice is similarly applicable to our situaion.

1) Rejoice! (v4)

present active imperative - it refers to constant rejoicing. Again I will say, rejoice (πάλιν ἐρῶ, χαίρετε) repeats the command with emphasis. Bear in mind that when Paul said this, he was in the prison as a prisoner. rejoicing is the sign or trade marks of a Christian. what is the chief feature in recognizing a place?

Lange, J. P., Schaff, P., Braune, K., & Hackett, H. B. (2008). A commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Philippians (p. 66). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

it is an command to a company of Christ’s people, who were in doubt and fear (1:28) and set in the midst of a hostile world (2:15), this assurance rings out like a clarion call, and is repeated so that its message may not be misunderstood. Paul has the supreme qualification to issue the call, for he himself is engrossed in ‘the same struggle’ (1:30) as that which the Philippians are facing; and, as they remember, his first visit () was the occasion of an impressive victory of faith and joy over despair ()

It is easy to rejoice in moments of excitement, but to rejoice always, in affliction, in pain, in weariness, in disappointment, is difficult indeed. St. Paul had learned the lesson which he teaches—he rejoiced in hardships and in chains. Rejoice in the Lord at all times.” In dark days as well as bright days. Surely there are many circumstances in which Christians cannot be happy. But they can always rejoice in the Lord and delight in Him. Paul himself was an excellent example of one who had inner joy when external circumstances—such as persecution, imprisonment, the threat of death—were against him. A permanent habit of joy is reasonable, when we consider (1) that there is no change in the Lord, the Source of our joy; (2) that our relationship to him is unchangeable.

Lightner, R. P. (1985). Philippians. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 663). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.A permanent habit of joy is reasonable, when we consider (1) that there is no change in the Lord, the Source of our joy; (2) that our relationship to him is unchangeable.

Spence-Jones, H. D. M. (Ed.). (1909). Philippians (p. 167). London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company.

Spence-Jones, H. D. M. (Ed.). (1909). Philippians (p. 161). London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company.

Christian joy is joy in the Lord. Rejoice in what he did, in what he is, in himself. Rejoice in his incarnation, his holy life, his sufferings for us, his precious death, his resurrection, his ascension, his perpetual intercession. Rejoice in his humility, his purity, his unselfishness, his holy courage, his love, his gentleness, his sympathy, his power, his glory, his majesty. Rejoice in himself, in spiritual fellowship with him, in his most gracious presence abiding in the Christian heart.

In the Lord is the governing factor in the exhortation. It is the Philippians’ faith in the Lord which makes rejoicing in the throes of opposition a glorious possibility. It is not to rejoice in the virus, or because we are free from the infection, but to rejoice in the Lord.

In the Lord is the governing factor in the exhortation. It is the Philippians’ faith in the Lord which makes rejoicing in the throes of opposition a glorious possibility. It is not to rejoice in the virus, or because we are free from the infection, but to rejoice in the Lord. Our relationship with the Lord is so central and determinative in our lives that all other factors cannot shake our sense of enthusiasm in the Lord.

one practical way to rejoice in the lord that is relevant to us is to join in corporate worship. Paul is drawing on the rich heritage of his own Bible here. The Psalms command us, “Rejoice, the Lord is king” (). The call of the Psalms to “make a joyful noise to the Lord” () ushers the people of God into corporate worship. People caught up in joyful worship of the Lord are united in heart and lifted above the circumstances of life in a vision of the awesome majesty of the Lord. The high point of this letter envisions all people bowing and proclaiming that Jesus Christ is Lord (2:11). Such a vision empowers even persecuted prisoners and residents in the Roman Empire to rejoice in the Lord. He doubles the command in case there are those who object that rejoicing in a time of suffering is inappropriate. A time of suffering is a time when rejoicing in the Lord is the only way to survive.

Hansen, G. W. (2009). The Letter to the Philippians (pp. 287–288). Grand Rapids, MI; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

Hansen, G. W. (2009). The Letter to the Philippians (p. 288). Grand Rapids, MI; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

Those who are truly rejoicing in the Lord at all times will be characterized by gentleness to all. “This is how other people are to experience the Christian’s joy in the Lord.”

Hansen, G. W. (2009). The Letter to the Philippians (p. 288). Grand Rapids, MI; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

2) let ur gentleness be evident to all (v5)

the meaning of gentleness - graciousness, considerate, ready to forgive, moderation. Aristotle describes the gentle person as “the one who by choice and habit does what is equitable, and who does not stand on his rights unduly, but is content to receive a smaller share although he has the law on his side.” Such leniency needs to be evident in the lives of Christians “as opposed to the non-recipients of grace, who can still be stiff and bristly.”41 The Pastorals include gentleness as an essential qualification for leadership in the church () and call for members of the church to be gentle to everyone (). James teaches that the wisdom that comes from heaven is considerate ().

Gentleness should not be reserved only for close friends and family or only for fellow Christians; it should be evident to all. Paul calls for Christians to have a reputation of being courteous. Especially in a society hostile to the Christian faith, Christians are called to respond to opposition with gentleness to all. Paul’s use of this term in his letter to the Philippians is strikingly similar to the use of the same term in the . In that text those who oppose the righteous say, “Let us test him with insult and torture, so that we may find out how gentle he is, and make trial of his forbearance.” Paul recognizes that suffering for faith in Christ tests the quality of gentleness. Harsh attacks quickly spark defensive responses. So Paul encourages the small, beleaguered group of Christians in Philippi to let their gentleness be evident to all even when they are stripped of their honor and treated unjustly

Hansen, G. W. (2009). The Letter to the Philippians (pp. 288–289). Grand Rapids, MI; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

gentleness “to all” - implies that the apostle has the church’s relations with the outside world in mind rather than the Christian fellowship in its mutual relationships

the attitude of a man who is charitable towards men’s faults and merciful in his judgment of their failings because he takes their whole situation into his reckoning

implies that the apostle has the church’s relations with the outside world in mind rather than the Christian fellowship in its mutual relationships

the attitude of a man who is charitable towards men’s faults and merciful in his judgment of their failings because he takes their whole situation into his reckoning

Martin, R. P. (1987). Philippians: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 11, p. 174). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

human wickedness in this period of time. we shall not be the same.

Win them - let them see the difference of a Christian. it is a good time to tell them who our Christ is. He who rejoices in the Lord, happy in that great possession, is not selfish, does not insist eagerly on his own rights, but will give way to others (perhaps the mask), will be gentle and kind; and that because the Lord is at hand. The Christian who rejoices in the Lord loves his appearing, loves to think on it, to prepare for it. He does not set overmuch store on his earthly rights, in view of the coming of the Lord and the great reward reserved for the faithful servant

I. The nature of this virtue. 1. It is the opposite of contention and self-aggrandizement, rigour and severity. 2. It is the spirit that enables a man to bear injuries with patience and not to demand all that is rightly his due, for the sake of peace. The apostle corrected the litigious spirit of the Corinthians by asking them, “Why do ye not rather take wrong?” (.)

II. The advantages of this virtue. 1. It contributes greatly to the comfort of life and the peace of society. There is always a tendency to friction in the relations of life where the spirit of forbearance does not govern them. 2. It contributes to the usefulness of Christian people and promotes the glory of God. This true spirit of Christ will give a man great influence with his fellows and will redound to the credit of the gospel.

III. The beason to enforce this duty. “The Lord is at hand.” Let us bear with others, seeing the time is near when we may expect the Lord to bear with us. All our rivalries and disputes ought to disappear in the light of the judgment morning.—T. C.

The assurance that the Lord is near provides needed encouragement to maintain the attitude of gentleness to all in a time of suffering. The phrase reminds the readers again of the imminent coming of the Savior from heaven to transform humiliation into glory (3:20–21). The shame of persecution will soon be exchanged for the honor of participating in Christ’s victory. The NT church is often encouraged in times of suffering by the assurance that the Lord is near: “when you see these things happening, you know that he is near, right at the door” (); “You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near” (); “the time is near” (; ). The church eagerly prays, “Come, Lord!—Marana tha!” (). Even when Christians suffer under the rule of Caesar as Lord, they can express courteous leniency toward all because they believe that Christ the Lord is coming soon to bring everything under his control (3:21).

Assurance that the Lord is near also encourages Christians to stop being anxious.

Spence-Jones, H. D. M. (Ed.). (1909). Philippians (pp. 167–168). London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company.

3) do not be anxious (v6)

anxiety (merimna) betrays a lack of trust in God’s care and is a species of ‘unconscious blasphemy’ against him

-

Martin, R. P. (1987). Philippians: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 11, p. 175). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.anything: includes coronavirus

anything: includes coronavirus. free from that over-anxiety about worldly things which might distract their thoughts from the service of God, and hinder their growth in holiness

do not be anxious about anything. But this was not a call to a carefree life. To care and be genuinely concerned is one thing. To worry is another. Paul and Timothy cared for the people they ministered to (; ), yet they retained trust in God. Jesus warned against worry which obviously eliminates trust in God

- anything: includes coronavirus

Spence-Jones, H. D. M. (Ed.). (1909). Philippians (p. 156). London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company.

Lightner, R. P. (1985). Philippians. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 663). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

not easy, but there is a way. by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present requests to God. it is a kind of life that submit every worry to the Lord. anxiety and prayer (curare et orare) are more opposed to each other than fire and water .

- not easy, but there is a way. by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present requests to God. it is a kind of life that submit every worry to the Lord.

Paul exhorted the Philippians to prayer instead of anxiety. Praying with thanksgiving involves trusting God. Four words are used here to describe a believer’s communion with God. Prayer (proseuchē) describes a believer’s approach to God. Petition (deēsei) emphasizes requesting an answer to a specific need. Thanksgiving (eucharistias) is an attitude of heart which should always accompany one’s prayers. Requests (aitēmata) speak of definite and specific things asked for.

Pray about it!” He is too wise to do that. He uses three different words to describe “right praying”: prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving. “Right praying” involves all three. The word prayer is the general word for making requests known to the Lord. It carries the idea of adoration, devotion, and worship. Whenever we find ourselves worrying, our first action ought to be to get alone with God and worship Him. Adoration is what is needed. We must see the greatness and majesty of God! We must realize that He is big enough to solve our problems. Too often we rush into His presence and hastily tell Him our needs, when we ought to approach His throne calmly and in deepest reverence. The first step in “right praying” is adoration.

The second is supplication, an earnest sharing of our needs and problems. There is no place for halfhearted, insincere prayer! While we know we are not heard for our “much speaking” (), still we realize that our Father wants us to be earnest in our asking (). This is the way Jesus prayed in the Garden (), and while His closest disciples were sleeping, Jesus was sweating great drops of blood! Supplication is not a matter of carnal energy but of spiritual intensity (; ).

After adoration and supplication comes appreciation, giving thanks to God (see ; ). Certainly the Father enjoys hearing His children say, “Thank You!” When Jesus healed ten lepers, only one of the ten returned to give thanks (), and we wonder if the percentage is any higher today. We are eager to ask but slow to appreciate.

Paul counsels us to take “everything to God in prayer.” “Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything!” is his admonition. We are prone to pray about the “big things” in life and forget to pray about the so-called “little things”—until they grow and become big things! Talking to God about everything that concerns us and Him is the first step toward victory over worry.

Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, pp. 94–95). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

Lightner, R. P. (1985). Philippians. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, pp. 663–664). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

pray with thanksgiving: The recalling of God’s goodness and mercy will save us from the many pitfalls which await the ungrateful soul, e.g. over-concern with our immediate problems, forgetfulness of God’s gracious dealings with us in the past, disregard of the needs of others who are less fortunate than we are. peace is the companion of “thanksgiving”.

Only by praying with thanksgiving in every situation is it possible to stop being anxious about anything. The continuous positive focus of praying with thanksgiving to God in everything breaks and replaces the habit of worry. “To begin by praising God for the fact that in this situation, as it is, he is so mightily God—such a beginning is the end of anxiety.” The string of three synonyms for prayer—prayer, petition, requests—with the additional emphasis on thanksgiving encourages all types of prayer. The first term, prayer, often signifies intercessory prayer for others. True intercessory prayer for others overcomes anxious thoughts about them. The second term, petition, denotes “an urgent request to meet a need, exclusively addressed to God.” In this letter Paul uses this term when he refers to his prayers for the Philippians (1:4) and their prayers for him (1:19). Since he and the Philippians were going through the same struggle (1:30), their prayers for each other included urgent requests for God to meet the needs caused by suffering for faith in Christ. Paul knew that the petitions of his friends in Philippi for him and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ would bring about his deliverance (1:19). His experience of the effectiveness of petitions to God gave him confidence that God would meet all the needs of the Philippians (4:19). Based upon this confidence in the effectiveness of petitions, Paul encourages the Philippians to turn their worries into petitions to God. The third term for prayer, requests, refers to naming specific items. This term occurs in only two other places in the NT. Pilate granted the request that Jesus be crucified (). The readers of 1 John are encouraged to pray because God hears whatever we ask according to his will. “And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have the requests we asked of him” (). Both of these uses of the term request indicate specific items that are requested. By his use of this term, Paul encourages being specific in prayer to God—not mouthing vague generalities and amorphous meditation, but giving voice to the specific desires of our hearts.

Hansen, G. W. (2009). The Letter to the Philippians (pp. 290–291). Grand Rapids, MI; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

You will note that “right praying” is not something every Christian can do immediately, because “right praying” depends on the right kind of mind. This is why Paul’s formula for peace is found at the end of Philippians and not at the beginning. If we have the single mind of then we can give adoration. (How can a double-minded person ever praise God?) If we have the submissive mind of , we can come with supplication. (Would a person with a proud mind ask God for something?) If we have the spiritual mind of we can show our appreciation. (A worldly minded person would not know that God had given him anything to appreciate!) In other words, we must practice , , and 3 if we are going to experience the secure mind of .

Paul counsels us to take “everything to God in prayer.” “Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything!” is his admonition. We are prone to pray about the “big things” in life and forget to pray about the so-called “little things”—until they grow and become big things! Talking to God about everything that concerns us and Him is the first step toward victory over worry.

Martin, R. P. (1987). Philippians: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 11, p. 175). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

Paul counsels us to take “everything to God in prayer.” “Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything!” is his admonition. We are prone to pray about the “big things” in life and forget to pray about the so-called “little things”—until they grow and become big things! Talking to God about everything that concerns us and Him is the first step toward victory over worry.

Professor Joseph Sung Jao-Yiu during 2003 SARS request Christians in hospital to pray. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7tyPeSGRks

Martin, R. P. (1987). Philippians: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 11, p. 176). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

Paul’s formula excludes wrong approaches to prayer. The prayers and supplications are to be offered with thanksgiving as opposed to other things like grumbling or resentment. They are also to be offered as an alternative to being anxious about the issues. What is the natural consequence of offering a prayer with thanksgiving? The peace of God which passes all understanding will do something amazing: it will guard your heart and mind! Against what? Anxiety among other things. Will we cling onto the things that breed worry and anxiety, or will we thankfully offer them up to God? If we do the latter, God’s peace will not only alleviate the stress and fear, it will also guard against its recurrence.

4) let the peace of the God to guard our hearts and our minds (v7-8)

After his instructions on prayer, Paul makes a promise that those who pray in this way will experience the peace of God. The conjunction and is used in this context “to introduce a result that comes from what precedes.” The transcendent experience of God’s peace is the assured result of praying as verse 6 describes prayer. The condition for experiencing God’s peace is not that God grants all of our requests but that we have made known all our requests to God with thanksgiving. God’s peace is not the result of the power of our prayers or the effectiveness of our prayers. Prayer is not auto-suggestion, a form of self-hypnosis that produces God’s peace. Prayer is our openness about our needs before God, our emptiness in his presence, our absolute dependence upon him with an attitude of constant thanksgiving and complete trust. When we pray with that attitude, the focus is not at all upon what we are doing or will do, but on what God will do. God will do something supernatural beyond our best abilities and thoughts: the peace of God will guard us. “Peace is always the gift of God rather than humanly devised or achieved.”

Hansen, G. W. (2009). The Letter to the Philippians (pp. 291–292). Grand Rapids, MI; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

what is guiding our hearts and our minds. D6 curriculum this week talks about the amazing and wonderful mind that we have. however, there is the need of a garrison around our hearts and minds. Hearts and minds point to source and outflow. The source is the heart, that comprehensive term which the Bible uses to include functions which we would distribute between mind, will, emotions and conscience. It is the inner side of the personality, and in particular the inner source from which all outer life springs. The mind is the outflow from this source in terms of definite plans which we entertain, imaginations which captivate us, and so forth. Now, the heart in this sense has much the same meaning as ‘mind’ in 3:19, the inner source and spring of life, and as we saw there it is the mind astray from God which is the cause of man’s downfall and the primary object of God’s wrath. It is the mind renewed in Christ which is the growing-point of the new life of the child of God

Peace involves the heart and the mind.“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee” (). Wrong thinking leads to wrong feeling, and before long the heart and mind are pulled apart and we are strangled by worry. We must realize that thoughts are real and powerful, even though they cannot be seen, weighed, or measured. We must bring “into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (). Paul spells out in detail the things we ought to think about as Christians.

“Sow a thought, reap an action.

Sow an action, reap a habit.

Whatever is true. Dr. Walter Cavert reported a survey on worry that indicated that only 8 percent of the things people worried about were legitimate matters of concern! The other 92 percent were either imaginary, never happened, or involved matters over which the people had no control anyway. Satan is the liar (), and he wants to corrupt our minds with his lies (). “Yea, hath God said?” is the way he approaches us, just as he approached Eve (). The Holy Spirit controls our minds through truth (; ), but the devil tries to control them through lies. Whenever we believe a lie, Satan takes over!

Sow a habit, reap a character.

Sow a character, reap a destiny!”

Whatever is honest and just. This means “worthy of respect and right.” There are many things that are not respectable, and Christians should not think about these things. This does not mean we hide our heads in the sand and avoid what is unpleasant and displeasing, but it does mean we do not focus our attention on dishonorable things and permit them to control our thoughts.

Paul spells out in detail the things we ought to think about as Christians.

Motyer, J. A. (1984). The message of Philippians (pp. 206–207). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

Whatever is true. Dr. Walter Cavert reported a survey on worry that indicated that only 8 percent of the things people worried about were legitimate matters of concern! The other 92 percent were either imaginary, never happened, or involved matters over which the people had no control anyway. Satan is the liar (), and he wants to corrupt our minds with his lies (). “Yea, hath God said?” is the way he approaches us, just as he approached Eve (). The Holy Spirit controls our minds through truth (; ), but the devil tries to control them through lies. Whenever we believe a lie, Satan takes over!

Whatever is pure, lovely, and of good report. “Pure” probably refers to moral purity, since the people then, as now, were constantly attacked by temptations to sexual impurity (; ). “Lovely” means “beautiful, attractive.” “Of good report” means “worth talking about, appealing.” The believer must major on the high and noble thoughts, not the base thoughts of this corrupt world.

Whatever is honest and just. This means “worthy of respect and right.” There are many things that are not respectable, and Christians should not think about these things. This does not mean we hide our heads in the sand and avoid what is unpleasant and displeasing, but it does mean we do not focus our attention on dishonorable things and permit them to control our thoughts.

Whatever possesses virtue and praise. If it has virtue, it will motivate us to do better; and if it has praise, it is worth commending to others. No Christian can afford to waste “mind power” on thoughts that tear him down or that would tear others down if these thoughts were shared. If you will compare this list to David’s description of the Word of God in , you will see a parallel. The Christian who fills his heart and mind with God’s Word will have a “built-in radar” for detecting wrong thoughts. “Great peace have they which love Thy Law” (). Right thinking is the result of daily meditation on the Word of God.

Whatever is pure, lovely, and of good report. “Pure” probably refers to moral purity, since the people then, as now, were constantly attacked by temptations to sexual impurity (; ). “Lovely” means “beautiful, attractive.” “Of good report” means “worth talking about, appealing.” The believer must major on the high and noble thoughts, not the base thoughts of this corrupt world.

Whatever possesses virtue and praise. If it has virtue, it will motivate us to do better; and if it has praise, it is worth commending to others. No Christian can afford to waste “mind power” on thoughts that tear him down or that would tear others down if these thoughts were shared.

in this season, we use face mask. the most important thing about the mask is the filter layer. for our mind, it needs a filter aswell. what’s our filter? Paul’s series of whatever statements serve as a grid to filter what we should dwell upon. It eliminates the negative influences without hindering the flow of the positive ones. Which positive ones? Any that meet one of the criteria.

If you will compare this list to David’s description of the Word of God in , you will see a parallel. The Christian who fills his heart and mind with God’s Word will have a “built-in radar” for detecting wrong thoughts. “Great peace have they which love Thy Law” (). Right thinking is the result of daily meditation on the Word of God.

Runge, S. E. (2011). High Definition Commentary: Philippians (). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, pp. 95–96). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

covenant of peace based on his unfailing love ()

peace that the world could not give ()

peace that have overcome the world ()

The descriptive phrase, which transcends all understanding, may signify ‘achieving more than our clever forethought and ingenious plans can accomplish’; or ‘transcending every human thought (nous), surpassing all our dreams’ (cf. Moffatt), and therefore beyond the range of our comprehension (). surpasses all that men had conceived or imagined. The expression is one that denotes that the peace imparted is of the highest possible kind

Spence-Jones, H. D. M. (Ed.). (1909). Philippians (p. 187). London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company.

Paul uses a military metaphor in describing the activity of God’s peace, which is almost personified. Will guard, phrourēsei, is better expressed in the military language of ‘will keep guard over’ (cf. for the verb in this sense). The Philippians, living in a garrison town, would be familiar with the sight of the Roman sentry, maintaining his watch. Likewise, comments the apostle, God’s peace will garrison and protect your hearts and your minds. Bunyan’s use of this picture in the appointment and patrol of Mr God’s-Peace in the town of Mansoul should be read in conjunction with this verse. ‘Nothing was to be found but harmony, happiness, joy and health’ so long as Mr. God’s-Peace maintained his office. But when Prince Emmanuel was grieved away from the town, he laid down his commission and departed also. It is a salutary reminder that we enjoy God’s gift only in Christ Jesus, i.e. by our obedience to him and submission to his authority. Paul amplifies this practical aspect in where the peace of Christ is to ‘rule’, i.e. arbitrate, in the Christian heart, settling all doubtful issues and keeping the believer in constant dependence upon his Lord (gnb: ‘Peace … [will] guide you in the decisions you make’).

Martin, R. P. (1987). Philippians: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 11, p. 176). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

Martin, R. P. (1987). Philippians: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 11, p. 177). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

Conclusion

continue to live as usual. and the usual life of a Christian is a life of joy.

V9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice and God of peace will be with you. Do you belive that God of peace is with u at the time of coronavirus?

Paul balances four activities: “learned and received” and “heard and seen.” It is one thing to learn a truth, but quite another to receive it inwardly and make it a part of our inner man (see ). Facts in the head are not enough; we must also have truths in the heart. In Paul’s ministry, he not only taught the Word but also lived it so that his listeners could see the truth in his life. Paul’s experience ought to be our experience. We must learn the Word, receive it, hear it, and do it. “But be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only” ().

The New International Version. (2011). (). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.God of peace will be with you

“The peace of God” is one test of whether or not we are in the will of God. “Let the peace that Christ can give keep on acting as umpire in your hearts” (, wms). If we are walking with the Lord, then the peace of God and the God of peace exercise their influence over our hearts. Whenever we disobey, we lose that peace and we know we have done something wrong. God’s peace is the “umpire” that calls us “out”!

Right praying, right thinking, and right living: these are the conditions for having the secure mind and victory over worry. As is the “peace chapter” of the New Testament, is the “war chapter.” It begins with a question: “From whence come wars and fightings among you?” James explains the causes of war: wrong praying (“Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss,” ), wrong thinking (“purify your hearts, ye double-minded,” ), and wrong living (“know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?” ). There is no middle ground. Either we yield heart and mind to the Spirit of God and practice right praying, thinking, and living; or we yield to the flesh and find ourselves torn apart by worry.

There is no need to worry! And, worry is a sin! (Have you read lately?) With the peace of God to guard us and the God of peace to guide us—why worry?