Philippians 4:5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; English Standard Version (ESV)
Today's verse from Philippians chapter four comes from a passage that is probably better known by some of the other verses which call us to "rejoice in the Lord always" (v.4), and not to be anxious about anything (v.6), and that through Christ we can have the "peace that passes understanding" (v.7). Tucked in the middle of these verses we find this short one which sums up the Christian's character, being reasonable.
John MacArthur notes that it refers to "contentment with and generosity toward others" and having "mercy and leniency towards the faults and failures of others."
I read a story about Saint Francis of Assisi in which he was taking a young monk along with him to "preach" in a city. When they had finished going through the town the young monk reminded him that he had forgotten to preach, to which Saint Francis replied, "My son, we have preached. We have been seen by many. Our behavior was closely watched, our attitudes were closely measured. Our words have been overheard. I was by thus that we preached our morning sermon."
As we go out into the work world and into the community or on the mission field this morning consider what kind of sermon that you are preaching today in your actions. May our "reasonableness" be known to those whom we meet and interact with as we "celebrate God all day" (The Message) and revel in Him.
Philippians 4:4-7The Message (MSG)
4-5 Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!
6-7 Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.
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