| Whatsoever
Things Are True
by Dan Coburn Pastor, Emmanuel Baptist Church pastordan@mtida.net Last week I vented a bit, out of frustration for what my beloved country/society has/is become. I'm going to contradict myself after studying for the promised remedy. It may take a few visits, but we are going to examine how to Remain Stable in an Unstable Land. The following is the recipe we will use. It is from Philippians 4,vs 1-8. 4 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.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." We could spend weeks on these verses, but for now, notice vs 6. "Be careful for nothing.....". Careful is translated anxious in other translations, and anxious is the root word for anxiety. We cope with it individually in ways ranging from mild annoyance to violent depression, but we with almost no exception, are feeling anxious about current affairs. A Key word in vs 1 is "stand fast" or "hold fast" which we get from the word steco. It pictures a soldier entangled in war/ hand to hand combat, who refuses to retreat. In my 17 yrs as a pastor, I have come to admire and appreciate, those who have "stood fast"; continued to be faithful in attendance, tithing, speech, quiet spirit, defending the faith, answering when called upon.... These are the unsung heroes of the Laity - defenders of Christ and His Bride even when (especially when) they don't get their way. They cannot be polluted by gossip or parking lot business meetings. Their yes is yes, and their no is no. Contrastingly, there are those who will tell you often and loudly how Spiritually Superior they are, while violently swinging to anger or distress when confronted with things they can't control or just don't like. Short fused, they swing from walking on the clouds w/regard to their Church or relationships, but can/do instantly diss the same when their mood dictates such. These are what the Bible calls: "lukewarm, unstable, double minded" and "dangerous". These are what makes the Stand Fasts stand out. Those who Stand Fast - Practice Unity, Persevere in Prayer, Choose to be Joyous, Meditate on the right things, Have an outward focus (rather than self), they are Not Negative or Critical, Don't push their own way and have a Priority of Obedience. This is diametrically opposed to those who live a vicious cycle of Spiritual Zeal followed immediately by Complacency, anger, external fault finding and "excused unfaithfulness". They have perpetual trouble with relationships. They are always mad at something or someone in the body. Whose Body? Always being slighted by someone, they become so defensive they are offensive. If this is you, or you know someone who suffers from this, there is deliverance, and in the subsequent lessons, we will begin to take positive, palpable steps to apply the remedy. Meanwhile, don't be Anxious - vs 6.
|
|