We are living in vastly different and trying times. Times as I have never seen before. COVID-19 brought about big changes and took many lives. The truths from the Bible are no longer considered absolute truths. Marriage is no longer a sacred union of one man and one woman. Gender is no longer defined according to our birth. If a truth can be challenged it will be, and there is a good chance the court system will allow the truth to be changed. The news is so negative about where we are and the future that it is hard to think about positive, uplifting, encouraging things. However things may be in our world, Paul gives us a good lesson on how to handle all that is coming at us. He teaches us to think the right way about the right things.
When Paul wrote the book of Philippians, he was sitting in a jail cell in Rome. At this time he was probably on house arrest as in Acts 28:16. Paul was allowed to be in a tent with a guard. This was much better than the Mamertine Dungeon prison he was in when he wrote II Timothy, but he was still in captivity.
Act 28:16 “And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.”
His primary purpose in writing to the Philippians was to thank them for the gift they had sent him when they heard about his imprisonment in Rome. But you know Paul, he is not going to pass up the opportunity to encourage others. The book of Philippians is known as the book of joy!
Paul knew they were facing persecution. He challenges them to rejoice in their circumstances no matter how dark they may be. I think the key to their rejoicing is found in his teachings of Philippians 4:8. He is teaching them to control their thinking. To think about things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report. If there was anything of virtue or excellence, if there was anything worthy of praise, they were to focus on those things.
Philippians 4:8 “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.”
Paul is teaching them to see the hand of God in every circumstance, to see Him working, and understand there is always something to praise Him for when we look at what is true about Him. This life is a mere drop, compared to the glory of eternity with Him. We need not act and think as if this is all there is. We need to think about who God is, and all that He has done for us. Our thinking will determine how we handle the things in this life. Our thinking will determine our praise, it will determine our influence on others, and our thinking will determine our future. In Proverbs 23:7a, it teaches us that whatever consumes our thinking is what we will be.
Proverbs 23:7a “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he”
Our failure to succeed in whatever we do always begins with our thinking. Thinking a lie about someone or dwelling on a negative aspect of someone can cause relationships to be ruined. Thinking wrong information about the Bible can lead us down the wrong path and ultimately send our souls to Hell. We are to seek the truth by studying God’s word in context, looking up words in their original language to find their meaning. Paul writes in II Timothy 2:15 that we are to study to show ourselves approved of God. We study so we will be able to understand and divide the truth correctly. To think the truth about God, we must get to know him by studying His word. It is good to go to church and listen to preachers and teachers if they are dividing the Word correctly, but you will not know if they are right or wrong unless you study yourself.
II Timothy 2:15 “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
Some basic truths to think about during these tumultuous times are:
- God loves us with an everlasting love. Romans 8:35 teaches us that nothing can separate us from the love of God. God even loves those who are His enemies and will spend eternity in Hell. His desire is that we will always choose Him, but we must choose. His love is forever, and it is so great He gave His only Son to demonstrate that to us. (Romans 5:8)
- He cares for us. He did not create us to put us on this big round ball and then forsake us. Hebrews 13:5-6 “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”
- God sees everything that affects us and burdens our souls. He knows every emotion that rages within us. He sees the fear, the despair, the disappointment, the loneliness, and the hurt. He longs for us to bring those feelings and burdens to Him. I Peter 5:7 “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
- You are unique. He made you just as you are and His design for you is perfect for you. Sometimes our lives get messed up physically and emotionally because we take our own route without Him, but you are still made by him. You are beautiful and worth something, not because someone else says you are or because you fit a certain mold in society. You are of great value because God paid a great price for you to have the opportunity to spend eternity with Him. Your value was the life of His only Son. John 3:16 makes that clear.
The Bible is full of truths about God. The only way to know the truth is to go to the source of the truth. That is where God wants us to live and thrive, in His truths. No matter what comes our way, we can ultimately have victory in the truths revealed to us through His word. Think about the right things! It is your choice.
I look forward to reading each of your posts. They are truly a blessing!