July 16 2026

Thursday July 16

“The Obedient Life”

Philippians 4:9

Welcome to Pastor's Chat. Today we will be looking specifically at Philippians 4:9 where Paul writes: "Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you."  Thus far as we have walked through Philippians chapter 4, we have seen an amazing progression.

In verse 4, Paul tells us to rejoice in the Lord always. A joyful spirit.

In verse 5, he calls us to be gentle and gracious toward others. A gentle spirit.

In verse 6, he tells us to stop worrying and pray about everything. A prayerful spirit.

In verse 7, God promises the peace of God that guards our hearts and minds.

In verse 8, Paul teaches us to discipline our thinking by filling our minds with things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report.

Now in verse 9, Paul says all those things must become more than thoughts. They must become our lifestyle.

Notice the little command near the end of the verse: "Do." One simple word. Christianity was never intended to be merely something we know. It is something we live. James reminds us of this in James 1:22, "But be you doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves."  Knowledge without obedience only produces deception. The goal of Bible study is never simply information. It is transformation.

Paul reminds the Philippians of four ways they had received God's truth. First, they had learned it. That speaks of careful instruction. For several years Paul had taught these believers the Word of God. Second, they had received it. That means they welcomed it and accepted it as God's truth. Hearing truth is one thing. Receiving truth is another. Third, they had heard it. Again and again they listened as Paul preached Christ. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.

But then Paul adds something remarkable. They had seen it in him. Paul wasn't asking them to imitate a perfect man. He was asking them to follow a faithful example. He had already written in chapter 3:17, "Brethren, be followers together of me." Not because Paul was perfect. In fact, he had just admitted in chapter 3 that he had not already attained. But he was sincerely following Christ.

Someone has wisely said, "People may doubt what you say, but they usually believe what you do." Augustine said, “Preach the Gospel, preach the Gospel, and if necessary use words”. Our lives either reinforce our message or contradict it. Paul could boldly say, "You've heard me preach it, and you've watched me live it."

What a challenge for every Christian. Our children are watching us. Our grandchildren are watching us. Our neighbors are watching us. The people we work beside are watching us. Our lives become living sermons every single day.

Paul then gives this simple command: "Do." Put it into practice. Practice what you have learned. Practice what you believe. Practice what God has shown you. Someone once said that the distance between heaven and earth is only about eighteen inches—the distance from the head to the heart. But I might add there is another distance—from the heart to the hands and feet. God wants His truth to move from our minds, to our hearts, and finally into our daily lives. The Christian life is learned one step of obedience at a time.

Then notice the wonderful promise. Paul does not simply say that the peace of God will guard you. He now says, "The God of peace shall be with you." Back in verse 7, Paul promised the peace of God. Now he promises the presence of the God of peace. What could be better than that? When we walk in joyful obedience, we enjoy the fellowship of God's presence in a very real way. The greatest blessing of obedience is not merely answered prayer, or even inner peace. The greatest blessing is that we experience the nearness of God Himself. Jesus said in John 14:21, "He that has my commandments, and keeps them, he it is that loves me... and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him." May each of us not merely know God's Word. May we live God's Word.

As the old hymn reminds us, "Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey."

Let's pray.  Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us Your precious Word. Help us not to be hearers only, but doers of Your Word. May the truths we learn each day shape the way we live, the way we speak, and the way we love others. Help us to be examples of faithful followers of Christ so that others will see Jesus in us. Thank You for the wonderful promise that as we walk in obedience, the God of peace will be with us. May we enjoy Your presence every day of our lives. We ask this in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.

God bless, and you have a wonderful, wonderful day.