The Believers Reward THE BELIEVERS REWARD

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Adornment

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Wiersbe calls these verses "You don't have to worry." My study Bible calls them "Peace", for the believers adornment in this world is peace. Peace with yourself, peace with the Brethren and peace with the Lord. Paul is saying that complete victorious living can only be acquired by an absolute surrender to Christ. When you have accomplished this, you will have absolute peace. The practical results of it will be in the area of your relationship to God and the Brethren. Paul says, "Therefore, stand firm in the Lord."

That means:

1. Accept your assurance of eternal life.
2. Seek your spiritual advancement. Grow in Grace.
3. Receive your assignment. We have all been called by the Lord to do something.
4. Aspire for perfection. Seek to grow in obedience to God's will.
5. Apply your talents. Do not hide them under a basket.
6. Be Ambitious. Seek after the Gifts of the Spirit.
7. Keep close approximation to the Lord. Never stray from His presence.
8. Attain that which is yours in Christ and never let anyone cause you to doubt His promises.
9. Anticipate your reward. Stand on the promises.

Do all of these and you will be "standing firm " in the Lord and you will be at peace with the Lord.

Notice the affection that Paul had for the Philippians. "Therefore, my Brethren, whom I love and long for, my crown and my beloved." Paul had a very warm feeling for these people. They, perhaps, held to the faith, had less problems and was more considerate of Paul than any of the other churches. They were his joy, his crown and his adornment.

There was a small problem at Philippi, two ladies, Euodia and Syntyche had a disagreement. Paul sought to resolve the problem two ways.

1. He pleaded with the two ladies to try to settle their differences. Notice, he didn't take sides.
2. He asked the spiritual leaders there, to help these women. This should be the work of a "peacemaker". It may not always be the Deacon or the Pastor.

This can happen in any church and Paul reminds us as he did them that these ladies had both labored side by side with him had their names written in the "Book of Life".

It is interesting to note that the name "Euodia" or Euodias" means "prosperous" journey". Syntyche means "pleasant acquaintance". Their names suggest that they were compatible but it does not seem that they were. Perhaps jealously was the problem. Paul certainly was not going to decide which of the two were the most important. It would be like deciding which leg of a three legged stool was the most important. Jesus said, "By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, that you love one another."

Paul says in verse 5, that we should "forebear" one another, allowing for each others faults. Then we can have peace and rejoice in the Lord. Notice what the evidences are of Peace with God. Paul lists four. Joy, lack of anxiety, thanksgiving and a good prayer life. These should be evident if we are at peace with God.

Hayden, the great composer, was asked why his religious music had such a joyous sound. He responded, "I translate into music the state of my heart." "When I think of the Grace of God in Jesus Christ, my heart is full of joy." Can there be peace in our lives when our heads are full of worry? Paul says, "Have no anxiety about anything", but isn't that difficult to do?

Blair says, "How empty and shallow is our experience in Christ if we cannot participate in believing prayer." In everything, by prayer, let your requests be made known to the Lord. Blair reflects on a visit he once had with a Saint. Her burdens and problems were many but she completely relied upon the Lord. She told him that often she would wake up during the night and have to take a sleeping pill. That, Blair said, seemed like such a poor gesture for one of such a mature faith. Then she said, "Of course my sleeping pill is Psalm 121, I will lift up my eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help, for my help cometh from the Lord."

Here Paul promises us that if we make all of our needs known to the Lord that the peace that passes all understanding, will keep our hearts and minds in Jesus Christ. So from this we see that right thinking, right living and right praying are the conditions for having a secure mind, which is your adornment, your crown in Christ.

Accomplishment

Wiersbe calls these verses, "The Secrete of Contentment". Is the secrete a thermostat or a thermometer? See if you can figure it out. Paul says that we should "regulate" our life, not complain about it.

Many experiences go into making up our lives. We all will experience joy, grief, hunger, thrust, cold, heat, good times and bad times. when we experience these, we can then show sincere concern for others. It is difficult to be sincerely concerned for the hungry if you have never been hungry. This does not mean that you cannot show compassion.

Here was a situation in which Paul had needs but the Philippians neither knew of his needs nor had an opportunity to meet those needs. But when they heard that he was in prison and was in need of help, they sent a man by the name of Epaphroditus. Back in chapter 2 we were told that after he came to assist Paul, he became quite ill and Paul hoped to get him well enough to send him back home.

The real lesson in these verses is in verse 11. "I have learned that in whatever state I am in to be content." This was quite an accomplishment. This was not normal, it is normal to complain, but Paul had learned how to live "victoriously." Now that means that he had learned to change those things that he could change and to accept those things that he could not change.

Paul's life would have been unbearable if he had not learned to be content in whatever state he found himself in. He had learned how to be happy when he was prosperous or when he was poor. In any circumstance, he was content. At first reading it appears that Paul is bragging but he was not for in verse 13 he tells us how he was able to do this. "I do all things in Him who strengthens me." So the secrete to being content in whatever condition you find yourself is laying hold to God's strength.

How do we lat hold to God's strength?

1. By being obedient. By constantly doing what His word instructs to do.
2. By being mindful.
   1. Of that which is true.
   2. Of that which is honorable.
   3. Of that which is just.
   4. Of that which is pure.
   5. Of that which is lovely.
   6. Of that which is gracious.
   7. Of that which is righteous.
   8. Of that which is worthy.

Do this, Paul says, and the God of peace will be with you and strengthen you. This is the believer's accomplishment.

Abundance

Wiersbe calls these verses "God's Provision for the Believer". Paul was a living example of God's provision. He received much from the "fellowship with believers". The church at Philippi had done much for Paul. This giving spirit is two sided. It blesses the giver and it blesses the receiver. Their generous gifts had kept Paul alive while he was in prison. For the Philippians, this opportunity gave growth to the fruit which increased to their credit. It was an opportunity to be a part of the spreading of God's word. It was a "fragrant" offering, a sacrifice that was acceptable and pleasing to God. Paul said to these Philippians, you met my needs and God, in turn, will meet yours.

For the Christian, living victoriously, means having adequate resources. And those resources are, one, the Providence of God, two, the Power of God, and three, the Promise of God. These resources made Paul content and capable to stand up under any circumstance that he found himself in. They can do the same for us.

Then Paul ends this letter with greetings and a benediction. Greetings from those who were with him in Rome, especially those who were in the household of Caesar, to all who were in Philippi. Paul's live in Rome, even though he was in prison, was a witness that brought much fruit, even among the rich in the very household of Caesar, probably speaking of Caesar's guard that watched over Paul.

Paul closed with this benediction. "The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your Spirit."

THUS ENDS THE BOOK OF PHILIPPIANS

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