Philippians 4:9
And what you learned and received and heard and saw in me, do these things. And the God of peace will be with you. (Phil. 4:9)
And what you learned and received and heard and saw in me, do these things. And the God of peace will be with you.
This is the last of the seven instructions in this passage (Philippians 4:4-9). Here, Paul is putting himself forth as an example. He wants them to action-ize those things in their lives. That is where the rubber meets the road.
James said something similar.
But be sure you live out the message and do not merely listen to it and so deceive yourselves. (James 1:22)
There are ways we rationalize both blatant and subtle disobedience to the word of God. James did not call it that; he said we are deceiving ourselves.
Jesus said in Matthew 6:23 that it is not good if the light in us is darkness. That means we have convinced ourselves that the wrong way is the right way.
In this verse, Paul is adding a point about peace. He is emphasizing the need for the right action and the right lifestyle. And he associated that with peace. But people sometimes want to live without regard for the truth, which may mean no peace.
Peter's words come in handy when he says that spiritual leaders should be examples to the flock (1 Peter 5:3).
Paul told Timothy something similar. He said they should be an example to the believers.
Let no one look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in your speech, conduct, love, faithfulness, and purity. (1 Timothy 4:12)
Timothy was the recognized spiritual leader in that area. And his distinctiveness should not necessarily be how he can be friends with the flock. It is not that he knows everything about their business. Or can dictate nuances of business decisions to them. It is by being an example to them when it comes to speech, conduct, love, faithfulness, and purity.
We should not underestimate the power of examples.
Do not associate with an angry man, the bible says, so that we do not learn his ways (Proverbs 22:24-25).
I want to apply these examples from material science when it comes to the heat transfer:
- "Radiation" is about being shaped indirectly by the examples we see all around us. (environmental exposure)
- The preaching of the word is "convection" (direct exposure),
- And the presence of the Holy Spirit in us is "conduction" (direct contact).
Jesus did not just come to die. He also became an example of courage in the face of opposition (1 Peter 2:21). He is an example of doing the Father's will.
There was a time he prayed, and one disciple asked him to teach them to pray (Luke 11:1).
Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The experts in the law and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat. Therefore pay attention to what they tell you and do it. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they teach. (Matthew 23:1-3)
These people say a lot, but don't do much. These are experts in the law. They know how to tell you that you are wrong. That ability may numb them into thinking that is enough.
Some other people do a lot, but what they do says little about who they are. They are doing it to be seen men (Matthew 23:27). It's contrived.
With that, we can begin to understand Jesus' words. He said, "Unless your righteousness goes beyond that of the experts in the law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven!" (Matthew 5:20).
Paul said that people should not just behave well when he is around but also when he is not around (Philippians 2:12-13). In another place, he admonished against eye-service.
not like those who do their work only when someone is watching—as people-pleasers—but as slaves of Christ doing the will of God from the heart. Obey with enthusiasm, as though serving the Lord and not people, (Ephesians 6:6-7)
Sometimes we go along to get along and bend to the environment, trying to please everyone except the one who counts: God, who looks at the heart, not at the appearance (1 Samuel 16:7).
So Jesus said, Before you tell someone about the speck in their eyes, how about the log in your own eyes (Matthew 7:3-5).
He introduces the concept of self-reflection rather than competition or judgment.
Paul said something about that.
therefore you who teach someone else, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? You who tell others not to commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who boast in the law dishonor God by transgressing the law! For just as it is written, “the name of God is being blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” (Romans 2:21)
From Addiction to Freedom by Favour Oyinloye
