1Therefore, my brothers, beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.
2I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche, to think the same way in the Lord. 3Yes, I beg you also, true partner, help these women, for they labored with me in the Good News with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
4Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, “Rejoice!” 5Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 6In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.
8Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report: if there is any virtue and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9Do the things which you learned, received, heard, and saw in me, and the God of peace will be with you.
10But I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your thought for me; in which you did indeed take thought, but you lacked opportunity. 11Not that I speak because of lack, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it. 12I know how to be humbled, and I also know how to abound. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need. 13I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. 14However you did well that you shared in my affliction. 15You yourselves also know, you Philippians, that in the beginning of the Good News, when I departed from Macedonia, no assembly shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you only. 16For even in Thessalonica you sent once and again to my need. 17Not that I seek for the gift, but I seek for the fruit that increases to your account. 18But I have all things and abound. I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, a sweet-smelling fragrance, an acceptable and well-pleasing sacrifice to God. 19My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever! Amen.
21Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. 22All the saints greet you, especially those who are of Caesar’s household.
23The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Seek the Things that Are Above
Gazing Up at the Moon in a Field
I have some startling news for you. Reader, you no longer belong to you. You were bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). You now belong to Jesus. You were crucified with Christ, meaning as a believer, you have died to self. Paul gives explicit instructions on what you are to do now, having been raised together with Christ. You are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), so what does that mean? You must center your life around God’s agenda, and that should take precedence over your own agenda. That means first, you must redirect your thoughts to the “things that are above”. Those things are those which God is doing in the spiritual realm. Paul fleshes this out in Philippians chapter four when he instructs,
8 Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report: if there is any virtue and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8 WEB)
When you focus your mind on those things, it will automatically remove your thoughts from “things that are on the earth” —the baser things. You will begin to see people as God sees them. Instead of looking at them with a critical eye, you will see them more and more with the mind of Christ. As a pastor, people sometimes criticize me, saying, “You just aren’t able to see the bad in people.” They couldn’t be more wrong about that. I can see the bad in people, but when I put on the mind of Christ, I think I see them as God does. I see all that they can or could be if they submit themselves to God’s transformational power. I guess I see them as the best version of themselves. Perhaps I err on that side, but I’d rather make those sorts of errors than to be suspicious of each and every move of those around me. It’s easy to see others' faults. It’s hard to see our own faults. Your life begins to be hidden with Christ when you start to see what God is doing around you, including in the people with whom you come into contact. Reader, today focus on the things above. Be hidden in Christ Jesus.