What is the pathway to true peace?

Philippians 4:1-9

The pathway way to true peace starts with an ever-deepening relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. Then, it proceeds by way of working for relational peace and by trusting God with every concern, worry, and need. Paul teaches us in Philippians 4 to commit ourselves to do the following:

A.  Stand firm in the Lord. (4:1; cf. 1:27)

1. by holding fast to your faith in God and Jesus Christ, and
2. by living to know, love and serve Christ more and more, and
3. doing so in harmony with your brothers and sisters in Christ.
4. Thus, "standing firm" doesn't mean, "don't move." It means, be solid and ready in your faith and relationship with Christ, always ready to move forward with clarity, strength and purpose.

B.  Seek relational peace for your relationships by focusing on what you have in common, by being gentle with one another, and by helping others to resolve their conflicts. Our conflict often results from where we think differently. To resolve conflict we must "be of the same mind in the Lord" (4:2-5). That means putting first the mind and mission of Christ above our own likes or dislikes. There is no need or no reason to be harsh and inflame the situation but be gentle and "rejoice in the Lord always". For any conflict or problem becomes too small when compared with the mind and mission of Christ. 

• Motivation check: How much do you want relational peace? Are you willing to do your part as God wants you to for the sake of relational peace? 

C.  Seek inner peace by making rejoicing a daily habit. Then, replace worry with prayer, positive thinking, and purposeful behavior as spiritual disciplines (4:6-9).

• Inner peace is key to relational peace. 
• Prayer is connecting with God that brings us peace, joy and power from God. We may worry now and then. We must submit our list of requests and struggles to God in prayer and always with thanksgiving (focussing our mind on positive things thus suppressing the negative thinking with its power).  
• Even if you are prisoners to your feeling, you must make a choice of what to think: in general, think positively. 
• "The God of peace" - God's presence is reassured to "be with you." 

 
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