For this series in Philippians, I am going to limit each post to one verse, and hopefully produce a short, succinct read for my friends who follow.

4:1   Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

This is an unfortunate chapter break in the book, as it begins with a “therefore”, which signals the question – What is the “therefore” there for?. The term therefore is a concluding statement to an argument established previously, that is in chapter 3. So a little refresher may be in order.

What was Paul teaching in chapter 3? Paul spoke of his straining to a goal, to the goal of Christlikeness, to the upward call of God. He spoke of his not attaining this goal, but that wasn’t stopping him. He also had a theme of unity thread through the passage, and had the nerve to challenge the brethren (and the sistren) to imitate him is his chasing after God. He provided a warning, speaking of those whose minds are set on earthly things, and ended the exhortation with the final transformation of our bodies by the One who is on the throne.

He mentions our citizenship being in heaven. This, in my mind is the core issue he is referring back to in 4:1.

Citizenship implies much. Citizenship implies a specific country, a specific King (or ruler) a specific set of laws (or principles), specific responsibilities and specific rights.

Therefore, since you have established your citizenship in heaven, act as the citizen you claim to be. Stand firm in the truth of your new citizenship, with all the implications.

One other item that needs to be considered. To be a citizen of heaven implies the renunciation of any previous obligations of citizenship of a previous country. As many of my readers may know, I was born Canadian, but have gained citizenship of the United States of America. As an example, I no longer have to comply to the speed limits of the Canadian transportation system, but am enjoying the benefits of the American / Texas traffic laws, (which by the way, provides greater opportunities to traverse greater distances in less time!!!). This may be a silly item to bring up, but for a fella that loves to drive, it seemed appropriate to consider.

For the believer, we are under a set of principles that allows us to love our enemy, allows us to engender unity amongst those who may disagree, and allows us to spread joy to those who are under difficult circumstances.

We have principles we are responsible to, in standing firm in the Lord. And in our straining to stand firm, we are to look to the One who provided us the example, provides us the strength and is providing us the motivation.

He is all of it, and we surely do not deserve the salvation He has granted us!

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