How do we extend the Kingdom?

Philippians 4:4-9

‘Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.’ (v9)

At first sight, verses 4-9 of Philippians 4 look like a mixed collection of “final instructions” but they bring Paul’s letter to the Philippians to a climax and conclusion. In fact they hold the key to how the Kingdom is extended.

Paul, writing from captivity and probably chained to a guard, urges us to rejoice in the Lord, not because everything is apparently successful but because of who He is and what He has done. All around us people are complaining, but we are called to rejoice.

Rejoicing in God means being like Jesus. It is very counter cultural to accept suffering and to be gentle but Paul picks out the virtue gentleness (which is strength under control) as he closes the letter. Why? Because it is the opposite of the way most people in Philippi would naturally behave. Philippi was founded as a colony for retired Roman soldiers, who were battle-hardened and known for their unrestrained and bullying ways. Gentleness is rare in society generally - in fact most people think they have to push themselves forward to get on in life. But we are called to live with gentleness. In rejoicing and being gentle we are living in the “opposite spirit” - empowered by the Holy Spirit, we can live from a different life-source and behave like Jesus!

Living like Jesus means we do not need to worry because we can access the Father at any time by the Spirit with our thanksgiving and requests (or urgent pleas for help!). In fact, unlike the people around us who do not know Him, we can live in constant conversation with the living God. No wonder Paul says we can live in peace as we focus our attention on the goodness we see in Him.

How can we extend the Kingdom? By following the example of godly people - becoming disciples of Jesus as we imitate them. The godly character we see in them will become more obvious in our own lives as we do. If you want to live at peace, Paul says, do what I do!

So the Kingdom grows and extends when we live in a godly way. In verses 4-9 Paul sets out what the Kingdom life looks like in practice, here and now. It might not seem very dramatic and can be summarised as joy, gentleness and peace instead of fear.

It is an “upside down” kingdom as far as the world around us is concerned - but really it is “right way up” to live as God intended.

-         Chris Horton