9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
In our verse for today Paul urges the Philippian believers to follow his consistent lead. He not only truthfully taught them, shared with them and gave of himself but they were also privileged to see the Truth fleshed out in him. He sought to walk as Jesus did and could therefore rightfully say: “Follow me”, as he faithfully followed in the steps of the Master:
1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. 1 Cor 11:1 (NIV)
16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me. 1 Cor 4:16 (NIV)
“A holy life will produce the deepest impression. Lighthouses blow no horns; they only shine.” D. L. Moody
18 The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. Prov 4:18 (NIV)
“Already we have within us the life of heaven.” George Eldon Ladd
Sometimes we just need to see the Word with some skin on it, if you know what I mean. It is abundantly easy to find those who espouse Truth yet far more difficult to discover one who diligently seeks to model it with their lives. If you are fortunate enough to have such an example worthy of following in your spheres, by all means, follow. The world is woefully short of role models – men and women who are not perfect but who consistently desire to fully follow the Lord Jesus. Scripture tells us:
6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. 1 John 2:6 (NIV)
“We may think God wants actions of a certain kind, but God wants people of a certain kind.” C. S. Lewis
Contrast to those who foolishly follow the unwise. The influence of good and bad associations is a common theme in the Book of Proverbs:
20 He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. Prov 13:20 (NIV)
Paul desired for the Philippian believer’s faith to be fruitful not useless, empty and ineffective. He modeled this faith commending it to them for their good and God’s glory never wanting anyone to stumble by his example. Obedience will always lead to peace and Paul was fully aware of this. It also gives a great force to our words when what we say matches what the hearers see fleshed out in our lives. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians his way of life which earned his right to set him forth as a role model:
3 We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. 4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5 in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; 6 in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; 7 in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; 8 through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; 9 known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything. 2 Cor 6:3-10 (NIV)
Great peace is the result for those who love God’s law and walk in His ways. Our mere exposure to God’s Word is not enough; it must lead to obedience which ultimately leads to peace. Scripture tells us:
65 Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble. Psalms 119:165 (NIV)
3 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)
27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 (NIV)
“Cheered by the presence of God, I will do at each moment, without anxiety, according to the strength which He shall give me, the work that His Providence assigns me. I will leave the rest without concern; it is not my affair. I ought to consider the duty to which I am called each day, as the work that God has given me to do, and to apply myself to it in a manner worthy of His glory, that is to say, in exactness and peace.” Fenelon
“All the commandments of God are commandments of love tending to our real good and great happiness; far from being grievous to those who have faith and love, the practice thereof is life and peace. The world may think it a grievous burden; but this is a great mistake indeed. Sin is grievous. In hatred, envy, anger, revenge, pride, there is nothing but torment and slavery; but in love there is a sweet rest and pleasure. Thus a sinner always punishes himself, and is robbed of great peace and blessing, by transgressing the commandments of God.” K. H. Von Bogatzky