"Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me - everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you."
Philippians 4:9 NLT
We saw in verse 8 yesterday that we are to focus, dwell and think about what Paul is teaching. Let's go one further, I believe God wants us to fix our thoughts on what we are being taught. One part of the meaning of 'Fix' is to mend something - put it right. But I believe that the meaning here is to live in it (Dwell). The type of fix that I am pointing to is when we bolt something to a wall; cement a brick in place or hang a new door. These items are usually fixed into position permanently. And this is what God wants us to do with His Word. We fix our thoughts on what is being taught and allow it to take up residence in our spirit and then; we put into practice what we have learned.
It is no good learning God's Word if we are not going to live it. If we live it, will it not be seen and heard by all we come into contact with? You bet it will. The thing is, it's possible to go to church, enjoy a good sermon and then forget all about it until the following week. This is not really helpful. Paul wrote to the Philippians urging them to put into practice all they had learned and received from him. Paul was in prison. We don't know much about the place he was in - it may well have been squalor but, it didn't reflect in what he wrote. He was praising God, not complaining and believe it or not, God was blessing him as he wrote. He may have been living in a terrible fashion but not a harsh word came out of his mouth. We need to be this way - 'no matter what, we will still praise you Lord'.
Paul continued to put into practice what the Lord Jesus had taught him and, he encouraged the others to do the same, and the majority of them did. He was their mentor and a mentor steers people in the right direction. What they see him do, they, to a degree, should be doing. A mentor is a good example. Our mentor of course is Jesus. However, He uses human mentors to teach and nurture us. This may be a pastor, teacher or home group leader. It may also be a trusted Christian friend. They are a shadow of Jesus to us until we are either ready to fledge the nest or continue because a friendship has been made.
The final authority though is always Jesus of course, no-one can take His place. A mentor is just there to give us a helping hand. What about you? Do you mentor someone? Is this the way God is leading you? The first rule of thumb is to put into practice what you have learned. By doing this, people will see Jesus in you, then the peace of God will be with you.
If you don't know Jesus or, have fallen away, why not say this prayer right now:
'Lord Jesus, I have sinned and I ask you to forgive me and be my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Spirit and give me a brand new start today.
In Jesus' Name. Amen'
Copyright 2024 Grahame Howard.
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