Philippians 4:6, 7 says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus". But is it really as easy as that? And if so, why do most of us still struggle with anxiety?
It's helpful to take a look at a few other Bible passages that talk about anxiety. In Matthew 6:25 Jesus says "do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear." There is a principle we can apply based on what Jesus says here:
Principle 1: Don't worry (be anxious) about the basic essentials you need in order to carry out the purpose for which God created you. They are all you need, and God will provide them.
Luke 10:38-42 tells of how Jesus and his disciples visited the home of Mary and Martha. While Martha is busy fussing around getting everything "just right" for her guests, Mary is sitting at the feet of Jesus listening to him. When Martha complains that her sister is not helping her, Jesus answers, "Martha, Martha, you are worried (anxious) and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." (v. 41, 42). There is another principle we can apply based on what Jesus says here:
Principle 2: Don't worry (be anxious) about the many things in this life that we don't need (but think we do). Particularly, don't be anxious about those things that God has not promised to provide. The comforts of this life often distract us from the purpose for which God created us. So, in summary, don't worry about the things that God has promised to provide, because he will provide them. And don't worry about the things that God has not promised to provide, because you don't need them in order to serve him.
God may well (and usually does in Australia) bless us with an abundance of comforts that we really don't need in order to serve him effectively. If he blesses you with comforts, be thankful while you have them. If he takes them away, be thankful for what you had.
Job knew how to manage anxiety: "Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." (Job 1:21).
Friday, July 30, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
What does a citizen of Heaven look like?
If I was to ask you what a citizen of Heaven might look like, what sort of a description would you give?
Perhaps the stereotypical Hollywood description might come to mind – a tall, slim person dressed in gleaming white robes, looking not quite totally solid, and glowing radiantly with an angelic look on his or her face. Or maybe the more traditional version – a cherub-like child sitting on a cloud and playing a harp.
You might be sufficiently well-taught in the Scriptures to avoid falling into the error of confusing a heavenly citizen with an angel, but in popular thinking, that kind of confusion is not uncommon. Nevertheless, how would you describe a citizen of Heaven?
In his letter to the Philippians, Paul describes such a person. In fact, Philippians 1:27 and 4:1 are like bookends that hold in place a list of some of the characteristics of a citizen of Heaven. In 1:27, Paul says – "conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ". Those words could be more literally translated "behave like citizens of the gospel of Christ". Paul then spends much of Chapters two and three describing how a Christian should behave, and ends Chapter three with the words "our citizenship is in heaven."
Paul is addressing the Philippians as though they are citizens of another world. And indeed that's what they are.
A "citizen of Heaven" is just one way of describing a Christian. But it's also a helpful way to remind ourselves that a Christian is a citizen not only of this world, but also of the new heavens and the new earth. So it's worth considering how Paul describes such a person in his letter to the Philippians.
According to Paul, a citizen of Heaven is one who stands firm with other Christians in the face of opposition to the gospel (1:27-30); humbles himself/herself for the good of others (2:1-11); shines like a star against a dark background (2:12-16); accepts no credit for him/herself, but gives all credit to Christ. (3:1-9); wants to know Christ ever more fully (3:10-17), and eagerly awaits the Second Coming of Jesus Christ from Heaven (3:20-21).
So, if you are ever asked to describe a citizen of Heaven, don't go for the Hollywood interpretation – try using Paul's description instead ...and even better, why not aim to be a living example of one yourself.
Bob Thurlow
Perhaps the stereotypical Hollywood description might come to mind – a tall, slim person dressed in gleaming white robes, looking not quite totally solid, and glowing radiantly with an angelic look on his or her face. Or maybe the more traditional version – a cherub-like child sitting on a cloud and playing a harp.
You might be sufficiently well-taught in the Scriptures to avoid falling into the error of confusing a heavenly citizen with an angel, but in popular thinking, that kind of confusion is not uncommon. Nevertheless, how would you describe a citizen of Heaven?
In his letter to the Philippians, Paul describes such a person. In fact, Philippians 1:27 and 4:1 are like bookends that hold in place a list of some of the characteristics of a citizen of Heaven. In 1:27, Paul says – "conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ". Those words could be more literally translated "behave like citizens of the gospel of Christ". Paul then spends much of Chapters two and three describing how a Christian should behave, and ends Chapter three with the words "our citizenship is in heaven."
Paul is addressing the Philippians as though they are citizens of another world. And indeed that's what they are.
A "citizen of Heaven" is just one way of describing a Christian. But it's also a helpful way to remind ourselves that a Christian is a citizen not only of this world, but also of the new heavens and the new earth. So it's worth considering how Paul describes such a person in his letter to the Philippians.
According to Paul, a citizen of Heaven is one who stands firm with other Christians in the face of opposition to the gospel (1:27-30); humbles himself/herself for the good of others (2:1-11); shines like a star against a dark background (2:12-16); accepts no credit for him/herself, but gives all credit to Christ. (3:1-9); wants to know Christ ever more fully (3:10-17), and eagerly awaits the Second Coming of Jesus Christ from Heaven (3:20-21).
So, if you are ever asked to describe a citizen of Heaven, don't go for the Hollywood interpretation – try using Paul's description instead ...and even better, why not aim to be a living example of one yourself.
Bob Thurlow
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