Prescriptions for Peace: Part 2 Karen Pourbabaee
“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there be any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the peace of God will be with you.” (Philippians 4:8-9 NAB)
Paul’s prescriptions for peace continue in Philippians 4; they involve both the mind and body. First, we are told to think rightly, beginning with truth. Jesus Himself said, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” (John 14:6) We need to seek Jesus in all things--He is the truth. He will reveal what we are searching for. The list expands to whatever is honorable, just, pure, lovely, gracious, excellent, and praiseworthy. In the atmosphere of today’s brazen world, we must struggle to think on these things. We should pay attention to what goes into our minds and hearts. There is a battle ensuing, and we need to enlist the aid of the Sword of the Spirit as well as the full armor of God.
Secondly, we must be diligent to learn God’s ways and the truth found in His Word. We must become excellent disciples. The word disciple comes from the Latin discipulus meaning student, learner, or apprentice. The Christian way is a lifelong apprenticeship; we ought to be continually learning!
Lastly, Paul instructs us to do what we have learned. Head knowledge won’t get us anywhere along the Christian path. “Be doers of the Word and not hearers only…” (James 1:22) Here James admonishes us to go beyond hearing to obeying.
Then the peace of God will be with you. God’s promise remains as we follow His prescriptions for peace.
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