#45: Philippians 4:8-9 Why Can't I?

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But Can I …?

Philippians 4:8–9

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

 Questionable Things

I remember the first time I saw a Christian sitting down drinking a beer. Being from the ‘deep’ south, and young as a newborn saint, I was shocked. Breathless. Was this even possible? A Christian, in good conscience, drinking alcohol? Is this not an oxymoron?  What next? He votes for a democrat, intermarries, and allows his wife with short hair to pastor a church wearing pant-suits. To you, this may not be an issue. To me, at that time, it was scandalous. My emotions ran wild.

Studies reveal 70% of decisions are based on spur-of-the-moment emotions, while 30% are based on actual needs and requirements. Fewer arguments rest chiefly on facts, but internal fighting, national disagreements, trade wars, and battles often begin based on emotional responses. Most calls for change strike your emotions, and the response is a call to arms. 

Facts declared that the Southern states could not sustain a prolonged war before the Civil War. The numbers would not support any argument. Geographically, they had many advantages, but economically, there were many obstacles. The South was an agrarian society dependent on cotton cultivation. The North had the industrial capacity, the established financial structures, railways, the moral high ground, and public support. On paper, it was a war that should never have been fought. Emotionally, the offense was too great. Emotions said they had the will to fight. The facts stated that they should not fight and indicated that if they chose to engage the enemy, they would be at a significant disadvantage. Loss was most probable.

This ended in 1865 with the South laying down arms and signing a surrender in Appomattox Court House, Virginia. 

Sometimes the answers are clear going into an argument; sometimes they are not. But confusion often arises when traditions, ideologies, and deeply planted opinions override facts. In the Church, this is a problem that is just as real as it is in secular society. Men are men whether in a Church or a secular situation. Often, questions being asked and arguments being made are beyond reason. Facts are ignored and are rooted strictly in the emotions and desires of sinful man. What is even more disturbing, troubling, and far more devastating is that these arguments are being waged in the pulpits throughout our nation. 

I want to reiterate that we are looking to the Scriptures as the infallible guide in these matters. When I was younger, I could not understand that the Bible truly had the answers to all situations. How could this be with the advancement of technology, medicine, and advanced knowledge? The Bible, being written so long ago, could not possibly address the situations we face today. I did not understand. 

As faith grew, so did experience and understanding. It was not a matter of surrendering my mind to a blind acceptance of things. For me, the rationale was either this Book is the absolute truth, infallible, and divinely inspired, or it is not. The more I read and studied, the more I believed scriptures were accurate and true.  

The Bible says that God provides us with "everything we need for life and godliness" (2 Peter 1:3). I believe this without reserve. Being convinced of His love for me, I followed what He had provided—his word. Today, 45 years later, I am fully persuaded that He can do what He has said He would do, that He lives and loves just as He said, and that indeed, the Lord has provided everything we need for life and godliness. We were created with a particular reason in mind. When doubts assail, and you read your Bible until the words fade and questions go unanswered, hold firm to what you know. It is in the darkness that we trust the unseen hand of the Lord and hold to what He has shown us in the light.

Let Us Begin

In Philippians, we see that a dear friend from Philippi visited Paul and Timothy. This was no small effort, for Philippi was situated about 850 miles from Rome, and such a trip would take Epaphroditus 4-5 weeks or more. He would be away for quite a while, so it required extensive planning and preparation. When he arrived, it must have been refreshing to see an old friend and catch up with him. Hearing all the news was a delight, and also concerning. Philippi was so special to Paul. They listened closely as he shared news about the church, its people, and the changes that were taking place.  This letter is one of Paul's most personal and warmest letters. He thanked God for the memories and prayed often for the people. His greetings were heartfelt and showed his genuine affection.

Epaphroditus contracted a sickness on his way and fell deathly ill. Eventually, he recovered. Since he had time to convalesce and regain his strength, he spent some time with Paul, being taught by the Apostle to the Gentiles. By the time he was able to return, word had reached Philippi about his illness. In writing, Paul sought to comfort them concerning Epaphroditus and his situation, and he thanked them for their generosity, as they had sent a gift to help.

Ample time was given for Paul to discuss the situation in the Church with Epaphroditus concerning the needs of the church. It would be easy to say that Paul was concerned for the glory of Christ; however, we need to consider what this entails. The Church is not a building, but a people. People had both physical and spiritual needs. The political situation was tense; Judaizers were roaming about, teaching lies and misinforming the believers, teaching that the law and circumcision were required for salvation. These may not have appeared to be significant issues to those in Philippi, but Paul had seen these things throughout Mesopotamia. Little problems ate away at the roots, killing the vine. Big matters had to be dealt with firmly and clearly.

Glorifying God is more than offering ascriptions of praise in silent prayer. It is filled with serving others. Making sure His sheep are cared for properly and to the best of your ability. Animal husbandry includes taking care of bumps and bruises, sickness, worries and concerns, protection and saftey. Animals can be easily upset, and the 

The Apostle Paul was deeply committed to glorifying Christ. His primary goal, both for himself and for others, was to establish a personal relationship with Jesus, always mindful of his life-changing encounter with the risen Lord. During this encounter, Jesus spoke to him, asking, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” Overwhelmed, Saul replied, “Who are you, Lord?” Jesus compassionately revealed, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Get up and go into the city, and you will be told what to do.”

 After this incredible event, Saul went to Damascus and was met by Ananias, a disciple of Christ in Damascus. Ananias was instructed by the Lord in a vision to go and find Saul and called Saul a chosen vessel of God, to bear His name before the Gentiles, kings, and the sons of Israel. It became clear that God had a special purpose for Saul—he was chosen to share His name not only with the Israelites but also with Gentiles and rulers. It became clear to Saul and others (Ananias) that God had called him to a particular task. Saul quickly began preaching that Jesus is the Son of God, spreading the good news with great enthusiasm.

 What stands out about Saul is that his motivation went beyond books and religion, per sé.  He was a mature, experienced man with great wisdom and discernment.  He never rejected books, and on one occasion, he told Timothy to study to show himself approved unto God.  His entire ministry was dedicated to promoting true religion. His battle was against false religion. However, he had religion and he had books before his encounter with Christ. It was Christ who truly transformed him. This experience gave him freedom and focused him on one central truth: Jesus Christ, who was crucified and resurrected. At that time, Paul didn’t have detailed teachings about Christ, His resurrection, or His abilities. He, along with all Christians of that day, relied on Moses and the Prophets for his understanding. 

 Ever since his initial meeting with Christ, Paul was ‘constrained’ by the love of Christ, meaning that this was the irresistible driving power that motivated him. I have always come back to that initial meeting to understand the heart of Paul. Not much was said, as far as we know, and it was just a fleeting moment in time. No condemning words were said, but a question was asked.

 The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell; It goes beyond the highest star, and reaches to the lowest hell; his letter to the Ephesians, he prayed for the saints at Ephesus to be rooted in this love, able to grasp its vastness and depth, and to experience the love of God that goes beyond human understanding. This longing reflects the hope for hearts to turn towards God’s love, finding strength in Christ. It reminds us that love brings unity and harmony.

 Paul was determined to address essential issues in the Churches, emphasizing the need for unity. He pointed out that some factions claimed, “I am of Paul,” suggesting that following his teachings defined their seriousness or values (1 Corinthians 1:11-13). He asked them almost sarcastically, “Was I crucified for you?” This question was not just rhetorical; it was essential to the matter. He brought the readers back to the centrality of the Cross of Jesus Christ. Understand the cross and all that it represents. Philippians is all about Christ.

 Paul recognized the real problems that sneak in with arguments. They never come alone, but bring their friends with them. A party spirit, heresies, complaining, and divisions. This was a constant problem in the early churches, issues that still trouble believers today. This was not just a local issue; it affected communities in Rome, Corinth, Philippi, Galatia, Crete, Ephesus, and beyond, including Jewish believers scattered across the Roman Empire. People’s general method for settling arguments was to use their feet. They would walk off and not come back.

 In his letters, Paul often opened with warmth and respect, emphasizing their shared unity in Christ's spirit. He encouraged them, reminding them of the positive things happening and the spread of God’s Word. Even while addressing some insincere individuals, he found joy in the fact that the gospel of Christ was being preached, even in less-than-ideal ways. His name was still going forth, and it is at the name of Jesus that every knee will bow in heaven and on earth.

 Paul repeatedly stressed the importance of harmony among believers. Undoubtedly, he read David’s Psalm that said, ‘Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity. It is there the Lord commands the blessing.” (Psalm 133:1-3) He pointed out that through complaining and arguing comes division and strife. He mentioned “factions’ which alludes to party spirit, and potential heresies. He encouraged his fellow believers to live in peace. He highlighted the example of Epaphroditus, a loyal servant who risked his life for others, showing the spirit of selflessness and service.

 At the heart of his message was the powerful truth that Christ is everything. He reminded the community that salvation is not earned through the law, but comes through faith in the Gospel. This is the power of God.

 Where Is Our Focus?

First:

Too many churches today are busy “doing the right things”—feeding the poor, witnessing in the streets, resisting false teaching, and defending sound doctrine. All of this is good, and God commands and commends it. Yet Christ’s primary call is not simply to do, but to be lovers of God above all else. I find Revelation 2:1-7 to be haunting. If God were to take all my abilities away and leave me with just one, I would request that it be the ability to love as He loves. Perfect love casts out all fear.

Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 13 that without love, even the most extraordinary spiritual gifts are worthless noise. Our first aim is to love God deeply—to treasure His Word, obey His commands, and marvel at His promises. That we would abound in love, in fundamental knowledge, and discernment. 

Christ’s death and resurrection opened the way for renewed and restored fellowship, for an authentic personal experience of the love of God. This relationship was His aim and His joy, and it must be our priority and forever cherished. It is the foundation of our unity.

Paul, Peter, James, and Jude made it a primary point to their readers. Knowing Christ is life eternal. Jesus has come and given understanding so that we may know Him who is true.

Make love for God your greatest pursuit. Nurture your relationship with Him through Scripture and obedience. See His promises fulfilled, experience His love and sacrifice, and cherish your fellowship with Him above all else. Never let intellectual pursuits, traditions, or even ministry replace intimacy with Christ.

Our love is not institutional, academic, or dutiful. It is intensely personal and, in most instances, it is a verb, not a noun. Love one another is agapao, not phileo, which is more of a feeling.

 Second:  

It may seem to many that the fear of falling captive to the law is a distant threat, not something immediate. The reason for this is that many do not understand what this means and do not realize that they are already subjecting themselves to any number restrictions that are compulsory and legalistic, and have no basis in the Bible. These would be traditions of men.

Romans 6:14 says, “For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.” This teaches that legalism—rigid rule-keeping—is not the answer to moral dilemmas. The Christian life isn’t about creating lists of permitted or forbidden behaviors.

This was what Paul was referring to in Philippians 3 2-7. There was a group known as Judaizers who taught that grace was good, and Jesus’ sacrifice was pleasing as well. Yet, without being circumcised and adhering to the Jewish ceremonial and dietary laws, there was no salvation. 

This was a major issue in the early church. Jewish believers often expected Gentile converts to follow Jewish ceremonial laws. Paul strongly resisted this pressure, even confronting Peter when he compromised (Gal. 2:11 14). At the Jerusalem Council, Peter ultimately sided with Paul, saying: “Why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors could bear? No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved” (Acts 15:10–11).

A list of dos and don’ts is branded in the minds of many churchgoers as something God does not endorse. If you violate one of these rules, you might as well pack up and move on. Grace doesn’t mean license. You are not released from the consequences of sin or the commands of Scripture. You are not subject to them as a means of salvation. Jesus saves, not our obedience. If you smoke, you are participating in a foolish act, but a cigarette will not determine your eternal destiny. Am I saying that you can be a Christian and smoke?  Yes, yes, I am. Is it profitable? No. Does it edify another person in the Lord? No. Then stop it. It is of no benefit but serves only to satisfy a nasty habit. The same applies to any liberty we have. 

We cannot say, “Since we’re under grace, we can do whatever we want.” Paul rejects this logic outright: “Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!” (Rom. 6:15). The grace of God instills a desire to be holy, not to revel in and celebrate our liberty. It doesn’t make us careless—it draws us closer to God.

Third

The second principle is that, although all things are lawful under grace, not all things are beneficial. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 6:12, “‘Everything is permissible for me’—but not everything is beneficial. ‘Everything is permissible for me’—but I will not be mastered by anything.”

A friend of mine recently asked me to pray for him to stop using snuff. I was a bit surprised. I never knew he dipped. Sure. He went on to explain something that moved him in that direction, and we began praying. The big thing he said was that this stuff had control of him. He could not go for an hour without a dip. He realized that his liberty had gone into excess and was killing him!  Two weeks in, he has stayed clear, but he will tell you it has not been easy. The same rule applies to food, alcohol, and any other hobby or habit we may develop. Sure, you are free to do as you please within the guidelines of Scripture. But not everything is profitable. If you choose to abandon a habit that has gotten out of control, this applies to you, not the assembly.

I quit, and so should you! But I like swimming on Sunday afternoon! No, that is a godless. Stop doing that!  You scour the scriptures looking for the rules against swimming on Sunday. There is no rule against this. Your friend may give you ten thousand reasons why he thinks you should stop, but if you continue with a clear conscience, you are good. You answer to God, not that guy. We must remember kindness and civility when we disagree. This was the problem with Euodia and Synthiche. It was a bitter argument that erupted.  Do not flaunt your liberty in the face of another, but you are not advised to allow another to dictate your choices.

Let love establish your boundaries. Would my smoking a cigar offend a weaker brother? If yes, don’t smoke the cigar around him. Red shirts make Mary seem too flashy, according to her neighbor. Does Mary like red shirts? Wear them with joy—some things your neighbor will have to live with. We are not bound by the sensibilities of others, but when it is reasonable, it is best to avoid causing an offense.

Do not drink a beer in an AA meeting or eat cake at a diet clinic. Paul wrote, “If what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again” (1 Cor. 8:13). That’s the cost of Christian love—and it’s worth it. Now, you struggle with that and come to your conclusion.

Forth

Finally, remember Philippians 4:8: “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable … think about such things.”

This verse calls us to choose the best, not just the acceptable. Some things are good to do. Other things are better to do. Aim for the highest good. What you think about is typically what you will end up doing. Your thoughts dictate your feelings and ultimately, your actions. You watch trashy movies and listen to godless music. What do you think will happen in your thought life? Do you know the lyrics to “Highway to Hell” by AC/DC? You do??? Aim for the highest good, not what is simply acceptable. This is where you find the majority of people.

“Think about these things … Paul says, and again, he assures us that this discipline of mind will bring the peace of God to your heart. My friend, we fight and strive for this! Peace. (Phil. 4:8 9). When we aim for the highest—spiritually and culturally—we experience God’s presence and peace.

In summary, when facing doubtful matters, and you are caught asking, “Can I do this?” do not be governed by a set of rules and regulations. No. Do not be governed by what others say is right. You study and come to your conclusions. Let the principles of God’s Word direct your attitudes and actions. You are not under compulsion to obey rules established through tradition or men. 

I am not saying drive as fast as you wish. Obey the established laws of the land, but realize that you are living under grace, not legalism or license. My friend, you are free.

Live noble lives worthy of Christ. The peace of God will be with you.