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Instructions!

Philippians 4:4-7

Good News Translation (GNT)

4  May you always be joyful in your union with
   the Lord. I say it again: rejoice!
5  Show a gentle attitude toward everyone.
   The Lord is coming soon.
6  Don't worry about anything, but in all your
   prayers ask God for what you need, always
   asking him with a thankful heart.
7  And God's peace, which is far beyond human
   understanding, will keep your hearts and
   minds safe in union with Christ Jesus.


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Commentary taken from 'word-on-the-web' supplied by Scripture Union


Instructions!
Philippians 4:4-7


In our post-Christian society Christians are expected to keep their heads well below the parapet.
Openly expressing biblical views in public is considered politically incorrect.
Distinctive 'Christian speak' ought to be restricted to the private sphere of church and informal groups.
Paul strongly disagrees!
He urges us to stand up and to stand firm in contexts that are unfriendly to the gospel (v 1).

Paul identifies viruses that so often afflict churches.

The first is disunity (vs 2,3)
Paul refuses to take sides, but urges the church to effect reconciliation.

The second virus is anxiety (vs 4-7)
Living in a hostile world produces considerable stress.
However, Paul assures us that we can be delivered from fear and worry.

Not by self-mastering our emotions, but because the Lord is near (v 5).
So near that in any and every situation we can bring our angst to him.
In return he promises that his peace will keep our emotions and our thoughts under his control.

Christians often found it difficult to distinguish between the truly and the apparently good in relation to people, things and actions.

This is also a problem for us in our postmodern society.
Here we are given a framework for using and applying such terms in 'excellent or praiseworthy' ways (v 8).
The framework is prayer (v 7) and apostolic practice (v 9).




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