Never Let Up - Philippians 4:1-19

There is a saying that “If you don’t use it you will lose it” and I can attest to this being a fact when it comes to the need to exercise the human body; and I truly believe that it will stand true in regard to spiritual activities such as prayer, worship, and praise; and especially true regarding witnessing and services rendered for others. There is no way for a Christian to retire from his work for God; in fact, his last days of effective work will probably take place on his death bed. So long as God gives us a sound mind, we are TO NEVER LET UP. In the past few years there have been several members of our church who have suffered many long days of physical illness, but they have continued to grow in spiritual strength and personal witness. Their legacy is great, beautiful and will be remembered by great numbers who have been blessed because they never let up.

It is not an easy matter to live like Christ, and that is what the word Christian means. New Christians face the struggle of breaking old habits that they have developed, and sometimes this is hard to do. All of us must continue to live in this world that is sinful by nature, but we are admonished not to still have a part in it. This requires us to be different, and sometimes it is very difficult not to go along with the crowd. Let us face it, Christian living is a struggle for all of us, but we must remember that the stakes are high.

A faltering Christian is a stumbling block and never a stepping stone, and the bible tells us that it would be better for us to have a rock about our neck and be cast in the sea rather than mislead others and cause them to fall. We must never let up because our daily lives are continually witnessing for either good or bad. It seems unfair, but it is inevitable that one slip [in just a moment of time] we can create distrust in others that they can and will use as an excuse not to believe in Christ and his church.

This lesson will survey at least four areas of our life that we can use to help us maintain a positive witness. The first assumption is that we are talking to dedicated people that are committed to keeping the “do right” rule. Then the first seven verses deal with the fact that we must be able to get along with other people. Verses eight and nine tell us to live a virtues life. Then verses ten to fourteen tells us that we must learn to be contented at all times and in all ways, and Paul says that he has learned how it is done; so we should follow his lead. Finally, and most important of all, we must continually trust in Jesus Christ to give us the knowledge and strength to do what we must do.

In the last two lessons we have studied, Paul has warned us that we should be aware that false teachers are at work continually and that we must never allow them to mislead us. Last Sunday we learned that we live here in the USA, but we are already citizens of heaven and our treasurers are being stored there each day as we earn them. Now, today, in the first verse his exhortation is embedded in a series of terms expressing his affection for his friends and he urges them and us to stand firm…and never let up.

In the second verse two ladies are mentioned that evidently are having some problems getting along and we are not sure what the problem was. Both were workers in the church and indications are that their problem was not one of disbelief or false teaching, but something personal and causing some problems. Other members were admonished to help them to be reconciled. It can happen, it did here, two Christians can and do disagree, but the indication is that they should not continue to disagree openly because of the way others will react. Paul says that they must become reconciled. Do you have a problem worshipping along side of one of your Christian friends? Have you thought about the importance of working out your problem?

Paul commends these women by saying they have worked by his side in the cause of the gospel along with Clement and the other workers whose names are written in the book of life. Here he is referring back to the fact that they are all citizens of heaven—one in Christ. There is to be no animosity toward disagreeing Christians, or anxiety, but they should always act with patience and gentleness, remembering that God is always near and that He will guard our hearts and minds.

There is an element of people today that believe that there is always a shady area between right and wrong in which one can live and be right. They do not believe that anything is totally right or wrong, or true or false, but the scripture does not support this belief. Paul plainly teaches in verse eight that truth does exist. Things can be right. Some things are pure. And the way he states this admonition leaves no doubt that somethings are false, wrong, or impure. He also indicates that Christians are supposed to be able to know the difference. When truth is present, right is being done, and things are noble, lovely, admirable and praiseworthy Christians are to take note and think on these things. We are what we think. Our minds control our actions and our actions produce our work either for or against the will of the Lord.

In verses ten to fourteen Paul reminds us that he has been on top and also trodden down, he has been rich and poor, he has been loved and admired and stoned and thrown in prison—he has the experience to know what he is talking about. Then he tells us that our action and reaction should never be based on our circumstances. We must learn to be content in the Lord, to love, praise, and trust him regardless of our condition or position. He concludes this admonition by telling us that he not only has learned to be content but that he has found that he can do everything using the strength he receives from Jesus Christ.

Paul closes this chapter by showing his gratitude for all the Philippians have done for him and leaves no doubt that he is not asking for more. He has no hidden motives hidden in this letter to them, but considers their help as their sacrifice, which is acceptable to him and God who will bless them.

If we have listened to Paul we have learned that he has instructed all Christians to learn to get along with each other and help others when they have problems. He has told us that there are some true virtues in life and that we are to think about them and live accordingly. We know that living in misery and or discontent will lead us into undesirable actions; therefore we must learn to be content whatever our circumstance. And finally, we must learn to trust God and give him all the glory. Amen and Amen.