11. LOVING ACCEPTANCE OF PRACTICAL PRECEPTS (Philippians 4:4-9)

Keep these precepts and a happy and harmonious life is assured, making you a real contributor to the happy fellowship.

11.1. BE JOYFUL (Philippians 4:4)

Philippians 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice."

Christian life is a spontaneous fountain of joy. Joy is part of the fruit of the Spirit. If the channels of the inner life are kept clear joy flows into our lives. Renewed stress on rejoicing, "again I say". This is no vain repetition, but a needed emphasis of a needed truth. He is aware how easily a soul falls prey to depression. Only the repulsive forces of a joyful heart ward it off. Under the old economy the spirit of rejoicing was an integral part of spirituality. In their worship they were impressed upon to rejoice before the Lord their God.

Deuteronomy 12:12 "... rejoice before the LORD your God, ye, and your sons, and your daughters, and your menservants, and your maidservants, and the Levite that is within your gates; ... "

(See, Deuteronomy 12:18; 27:7 ).

Deuteronomy 16:11 "And thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are among you, in the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen to place his name there."

The Hymnery of God's people, the Psalms, has as their dominant note, variations of gladsome hallelujahs. God's people were to be a joyful people. The season of rejoicing, always, at all times in all circumstances. We need to get to the place of Habbakuk:

Habakkuk 3:17- 18 "Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: 18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation" .

When crushed with guilt and smarting under chastenings, it is hard to cry contritely:

Psalm 51:8 "Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. "

1 Thessalonians 5:16 "Rejoice evermore."

No matter what, rejoice always. The source of rejoicing - 'In the Lord'. This makes the whole experience plain and possible. Who can rejoice in circumstances? Rejoice in the one who never changes, Christ, our example. Jesus was the Man of sorrows - but not the Man IN sorrows. Forever within was the unchangeable joy of doing the Father's will.

Hebrews 12:2 "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. "

He prayed that His followers might have His joy.

John 15:11 "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full."

John 17:13 "And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves."

Prophetic writers reveal some precious details bearing on His life of rejoicing.

Psalm 16:8-11 "I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. 10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. "

Acts 2:25-26 "For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: 26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:"

Proverbs 8:29- 31 "When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: 30 Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; 31 Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men."

Rejoicing then, rejoicing now. His perennial fountain of joy open to all believers. BE JOYFUL!

11.2. BE GENTLE (Philippians 4:5)

Philippians 4:5 "Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand."

The word "moderation" as in the Authorised version, is often used as a cover for sin. Some things call not for moderation, but extermination. The New King James Version translates the word, "gentleness" Greek - 'epieikes'. James 3:17 used the word in relation to the wisdom that is from above.

James 3:17 "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy."

The word is rendered in 1 Timothy 3:3 (KJV) "patient", and in Titus 3:2 (KJV) and 1 Peter 2:18 (KJV) "gentle." It is a word used by Paul to describe the way he appeals to fellow believers.

2 Corinthians 10:1 "Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ ..."

This virtue then is Christlike gentleness. 'Sweet reasonableness'. It is a graciousness which is seen by men. "Be known unto all men" (Philippians 4:5 KJV). Our forbearance is to be conspicuous. The attitude 'I don't care what they think' won't do.

1 Timothy 3:7 "Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil."

Christian testimony is never popular with the world, but its graces are noted and praised. It is a graciousness which is seen by the Lord. "The Lord is at hand" (Philippians 4:5 KJV). We tend to apply this exclusively to the Second Coming, when the better translation is 'the Lord is near', implying His invisible presence with us. Paul is rejoicing in the immediate nearness of the Lord. The Lord is near, beholding us. Grieved by anything that is not Christlike. The Lord is near, upholding us. Help to demonstrate the gentleness of Jesus.

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Who can always rejoice in their circumstances? Who is your source of continual rejoicing? (Philippians 4:4; Habakkuk 3:17-18 ).

2. What kind of joy has Jesus given you? (John 15:11; 17:13 ).

3. Would those nearest to you say you had the virtue of "sweet reasonableness"? (Philippians 4:5 ).

4. Would you limit the assurance that "the Lord is at hand" to His coming again? (Philippians 4:5 ).