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More Peace
Brian Mashburn
February 18, 2007
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You Need A Piece of God
When interpersonal conflict arises, hurt and pain are invited into the heart.
There are only two possible human reactions to conflict . One is to deal with it by our own power (through angry confrontation, denial, cowardly avoidance, apathy, useless arguing, gossip, "side-choosing," or other passive-aggressive behavior). The other is to do the inward work that allows the human to maintain his Christ-likeness (which allows God to deal with it).
Paul finishes his letter to his Philippi buddies by pleading with them to do the latter! After telling them how Christ humbling himself allowed God the opportunity and power to lift him up (2:4-9), he now says that each of them need to humble themselves and that it will allow God the opportunity and power to lift them up (4:2-9).
And he doesn't just stay in the idea/theology realm, either. He gives them specific work to do. Specific actions to take. Specific measures to employ. Specific procedures, if you will. And he PROMISES, that if they will do these things, God will overcome the hurt and pain that comes from conflict.
We need these procedures utilized here at Southwest by you as much as they needed them there at Philippi. And if you will do these things, let me promise you, too, that you will find peace.
1) Rejoice in the Lord always. Seriously. (4:4)
2) Let your gentleness be evident to all. ALL. (4:5)
3) Take every personal anxiety to God in grateful prayer. This is the only Christian way to worry. (4:6)
4) Focus on the good. Not the bad. Not what's wrong. THE GOOD. (4:8)
If they did these things, Paul told the disciples at Philippi that the peace of God will be theirs. He promised them (4:7). Twice (4:9).
So if you do these things, disciples at Southwest, the peace of God will be yours. I promise you. Twice. God said so.