Devotions based on week 9 of Joy in the Journey: Peace (WATCH HERE)
Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!
When you care deeply about a person, you don’t want to lose the relationship with that person.
To be sure, there are many things that can work to separate people and cause division between them, however, Paul encourages the most important thing that binds Christians together: stand firm in the Lord.
But it’s not an empty encouragement.
If you are going to stand firm, you want to make sure you have something solid on which to stand.
What precedes in chapter three forms the basis of Paul’s encouragement:
“That is how you should stand firm.”
So what is “that”?
Three things:
First – consider all things less important than knowing Christ.
Philippians 3:8 But even more than that, I consider everything to be a loss because of what is worth far more: knowing Christ Jesus, my Lord. For his sake, I have lost all things and consider them rubbish, so that I may gain Christ…
Second, prioritize and put forward every effort to take hold of all that for which Christ has taken hold of you:
Philippians 3:13 Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it yet, but there is one thing I do: Forgetting the things that are behind and straining toward the things that are ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal, for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
And third, remember your citizenship is in heaven.
Philippians 3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven. We are eagerly waiting for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. 21 By the power that enables him to subject all things to himself, he will transform our humble bodies to be like his glorious body.
The last thing Paul wanted to see happen is one of those he deeply cared about be lost from their connection with Christ. He knew that Satan would be working hard to separate them from the love of Christ.
So he gives that direction to do all he can to avoid losing those he deeply cares about.
The same is true for us.
Are you looking for what it takes and what it means to stand firm in the Lord? Do you want those around you who you deeply love and care about to do the same?
These three things are true for us.
Prioritize Christ in every aspect of your life.
Be willing to make every effort to reach the goal of heaven and enjoy God’s blessings along the way.
Keep your heart and mind focused heavenward, your citizenship is in heaven.
That is how you will stand firm in the Lord!
Apply: Which of the three areas listed is an opportunity for you? How might you, with the Lord’s help improve that area and strengthen your stand with the Lord? Take time to reach out to someone you care about and encourage them to stand firm in the Lord – use one or more of the three encouragements.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving us friends who care deeply and encourage and guide us in standing firm in our relationship to you. Keep away from us all temptations that would divide and distract us from our connection with you. AMEN.