Heavenly Thinking & Holy Living
Philippians 4:8-9
Paul is drawing his letter to a close. He has spent the majority of this epistle encouraging and exhorting the brethren at Philippi to be unified in their thinking and thus unified in their ministry of the gospel. This has included the reiteration of basic truths and fundamental tenets of the faith, but has also included stern warnings and refutations against the Judaizers who were often infiltrating new churches and making a shipwreck of peoples’ faiths by preaching that in order to be a Christian, you must adhere to the law. So, he reminded them of the truth of the gospel. And as the gospel is preached in your hearing, it is effective. It has power. It not only saves the man from the wrath of God and of Hell and the condemnation of sin and the power of death, but it also has the power to go on sanctifying the mind of a man from infancy to maturity in Christ.
When addressing the Corinthian church, in chapter 3 of his first letter to them, he writes that he could’t speak to them as spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. [1Co 3:1-3 NKJV] 1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual [people] but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able [to receive it], and even now you are still not able; 3 for you are still carnal. For where [there are] envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like [mere] men?
His emphasis in Philippi is the same, but in a positive way, not calling them babes, but reiterating the necessity of unity among the brethren. He commends them to it rather than condemns them. And in his commendation to the Philippians he also reiterates the truth that the way that they think will inform the manner in which they live. And if they are unified in their thinking, they will mature. And being mature, they will walk in the same manner as the great apostles whom the church admired so much. And in doing so, they will walk as Christ himself. This brings us to the main theme of this passage:
The Christian who sets their mind upon Christ, will live as a Christian should live, becoming an example of Christ to all.
In Philippians 4:8-9, Paul reiterates two truths that reinforce the reality that the way a Christian thinks will inform the way a Christian acts, so that we can think rightly and live righteously, in unity, to the glory of God.
Exegetical Outline:
Filling Your Mind
Exemplary Living Exemplified