Philippians 4:1-9
Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. 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. Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 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. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Now, in light of all that Paul has written, it’s time for the Philippians to take action. He’s expressed his love for them. He’s explained the mind of Christ. He’s encouraged them that Christ is all they need to be righteous. And now he expects them to put some things into practice, to live a certain way, to make some difficult choices, to do some things that will help them and their church continue to grow. The first is to stand fast in the Lord—to not waver, to remain faithful, to continue to trust and believe and move forward in Christ and for Him. The second is to be right in their relationships with each other. Again there is that plea for the same mind in the Lord, a united front against the true enemy, resolution of conflict, and being a help and encouragement to one another.

Ultimately, though, the focus is Christ. Paul wants them to find their joy in Him. To find peace in Him. To bring all their cares to Him. To think upon Him. To actively fill their lives and their minds with good and godly things that would help them stand fast and keep moving forward. He wants them to live out all they have learned in an active way beyond just holding this knowledge within them. He’s asking them to follow his example as he has followed Christ. He has laid his life out. He’s poured out his heart. He’s done all he has to have a real impact on real people.

So what can we take from all that Paul has shared with this church that meant so much to him? How do we stand fast in the Lord? It starts with a focus on what is most important—being like Christ and doing as He would have us do. It’s a willingness to sacrifice our own way or our own ideas if it hinders the body or opposes God’s way. It’s an ability to be humble and place others above ourselves and a willingness to imitate Christ in our interactions with those around us. It’s about the choices we make in light of what Christ has done for us and the purpose He has for us. In the end, magnifying Christ minimizes everything else—problems, worry, fear, conflict, those petty things that hold us back and weigh us down. We learn much from Paul in his letter to the Philippians, so may we be willing to put those lessons into practice in our own lives, as well.