- Right living: (4:9): It is not enough just to read or hear the Word of God, or even to know it well. We must also put in into practice. It is easy to listen to a sermon and forget what the preacher said and similarly it is easy to read the Bible and not think about how to live differently. It is easy to debate on a passage of God’s and yet not applying to our lives.
Paul had the integrity to present himself as an example to the people of Philippians. He really could say, “Follow me as I follow Jesus.” If we do just as Paul has instructed, we will have the peace of God always abiding in us in the midst of turmoil.
The secret of Contentment in life: (4:10-20):
Some believers are like thermometer. They change as per the environment or condition or situation. But Apostle Paul was a thermostat. Instead of having spiritual ups and downs as the situation changed, he went right on, steadily doing his work and serving Christ. He was not the victim of circumstances but the victor over circumstances: “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength (4:13). He found his contentment in the spiritual resources abundantly provided by Christ. Contentment is not complacency, nor is it a false peace based on ignorance. The complacent believer is unconcerned about others, while the contented Christian wants to share his blessings. Contentment is not escape from the battle, but rather an abiding peace and confidence in the midst of the battle. “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content” (4:11).
Paul had to go through many difficult experiences of life in order to learn how to be content. The word “content” actually means “contained.” It is a description of the man whose resources are within him so that he does not have to depend on substitutes. There are 3-vital things where we can acquire the contentment.
The Provision of God (4:10):
In this day of scientific achievement, we hear less and less about the providence of God. But the Word of God clearly teaches the providential working of God in nature and in the lives of His people. The word “providence” comes from two Latin words: pro, meaning “before,” and video, meaning “to see.” God’s providence simply means that God sees to it beforehand. It does not mean that God simply knows beforehand, because providence involves much more. It is the working of God in advance to arrange circumstances and situations for the fulfilling of His purposes.
Ex: The story of Joseph and his brothers is a perfect providence of God (Gen. 37-50). Joseph’s brothers envied him and sold him as a slave when he was only seventeen years old. He was taken to Egypt, and there God revealed that seven years of famine were coming after seven years of plenty. It was through Joseph’s interpretation of Pharaoh’s dreams that this fact was discovered. Because of that, Joseph was elevated to the position of second ruler in Egypt. After twenty years of separation, Joseph’s brothers were reconciled to him, and they understood what the Lord had done.
“God did send me before you to preserve life!” said Joseph (Gen. 45:5). “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good” (Gen. 50:20). That’s why Paul writes that in (Rom. 8:28) “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them that are the called according to His purpose.” God in His providence had caused the church at Philippi to become concerned about Paul’s needs and they came handy at the right time. Many Christians today have the opportunities, but they lack the concern!
The Power of God: (4:11-13)
Paul is quick to let his friends know that he is not complaining! His happiness does not depend on circumstances or things; his joy comes from something deeper, something apart from either poverty or prosperity. Most of us have learned how to “be abased,” because when difficulties come we immediately run to the Lord! But few have learned how “to abound.” Prosperity has done more damage to believers than adversity. Through trial and testing, Paul has learned the wonderful secret of contentment in spite of poverty or prosperity. “I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength” ( 4:13). It was the power of Christ within him that gave him spiritual contentment.
The entire nature depends on hidden resources. The great trees send their roots down into the earth to draw up water and minerals. Rivers have their sources in the snow-capped mountains. The most important part of a tree is the root system which we cannot see but God sees. Unless we draw from the deep resources of God by faith, we fail against the pressures of life. Paul depended on the power of Christ at work in his life. “I can-through Christ!” was Paul’s motto, and it should be our motto too. The Christian has all the power he needs in order to fulfill the demands of his life when he trusts in His Saviour who has perpetual resources.
The biography of Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret written by Dr.( Mrs.) Howard Taylor, illustrates this principle of inner power in the life of a great missionary to China. For many years, Hudson Taylor worked hard and felt that he was trusting Christ to meet his needs, but somehow he had no joy or liberty in his ministry. Then a letter from a friend opened his eyes to the adequacy of Christ. ‘It is not by trusting my own faithfulness, but by looking away to the Faithful One!’ he said. This was a turning point in his life. Moment by moment, he drew on the power of Christ for every responsibility of the day, and Christ’s power carried him through and through.
Jesus teaches this same lesson in the sermon on the vine and branches in (Jn. 15:1ff). He is the Vine, we are the branches. The branch does not bear fruit through its own self-effort, but by drawing on the life of the Vine. “Without Me, ye can do nothing” (Jn.15:5). “I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency” (Phil. 4:13). My sufficiency comes from God.