Paul longed that his beloved brethren "stand fast in the Lord"(Php 4:1), and that God's "peace be with" them all (Php 4:9) In this passage (Philippians 4:1-9) Paul tells the Christians at Philippi how they might achieve this blessed state:
Live together in harmony and joy
Paul thinks of his brethren in Philippi, both men and women, as "true comrades" who have something in common that trancends all petty differences: their "names are written in the book of life"(Php 4:3) Therefore they should "be of the same mind"(Php 4:2)and "rejoice in the Lord always"(Php 4:4) Notice how Paul urges, implores, and emphasises these feelings in the family of God. If they don't have solidarity with each other, they cannot stand fast against their Enemy.
Get rid of anxiety
Paul tells the Philippians to "be anxious for nothing"(Php 4:6).
Anxiety creates tension, and tension creates agression, and agression creates conflict, and when
people see conflict, they lose faith. Free of anxiety, they can let their "gentleness be known to all men"(Php 4:5). Anxiety vanishes when people trust that "the Lord is near"(Php 4:5) and let their "requests be made known to God"(Php 4:6). Through their "prayer and supplication with thanksgiving"(Php 4:) they discover the the secret of being free from anxiety.
Oh! what peace they often forfeit, because they do not carry everything to God in prayer. Both in casting
their burden on the Lord through supplication, and counting their blessings in thanksgiving, they find
"the peace of God"(Php 4:7) and it guards their hearts.
Think constructively
It is not hard for most people to find things true, noble, just, pure, lovely, reputable, virtuous, and praiseworthy to dwell upon (Php 4:8). The trick is in keeping their minds on these things,
and not to be distracted by the bawling of the world. Right thinking is realistic thinking, and the
reality is that God is in control and evil doesn't have the upper hand. Thinking based on that fact
breeds boldness in standing for the Lord, and cheerfulness on the pilgrimage through life.
Practise the teachings of Jesus Christ
These teachings were "learned" by revelation
from the Lord. They were "received" by the church at Philippi having been, "heard" in the ministry of those who laboured so faithfully among them, and "seen" in the fine example set by those who obeyed the voice of Jesus (Php 4:9). But there was more to it. They were expected to "do these things" as well (Php 4:9). In the doing, there is discipline, and in the discipline there is strengthening, and in the strengthening there is salvation. Don't let anyone tell you that people are saved without works. If people would stand fast in Jesus, they must not only receive his words, but "these things do."
In the light of these things, let us promote harmony, confidence, constructive thinking, and good works among ourselves. In this way and with God's help, we will be strong in our Lord, joyful in life, sure of salvation, and God's peace will be ours abundantly.