Peace of God and God of Peace

James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds thru Christ Jesus

8  whatever things are true, whatever are noble, whatever are just, whatever are pure, whatever are lovely, whatever are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate/set your mind on these things.

9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these DO, and the God of peace will be with you.

1. Intimacy with God John 13:21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him. 23...and We will come to him and make Our home with him.”

2a. Set your mind/Meditate:  Observe...Interpret...Apply  (What does it mean? Is it True? What difference does it make?)

2b. Think Philippians 3:19 (enemies of self-denial) whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly/appetites, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their mind on earthly things   Mt 16:23 He turned, said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men."    Rm 8:6 to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Colossians 3:1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.   

3. True (not hidden) [everything else is a lie of Satan]  Jn 17:17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.   Ephesians 4:21 truth is in Jesus: 22 you put off...deceitful lusts 23 be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 put on the new...in true righteousness and holiness.

25 Therefore, putting away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor," for we are members of one another.

Titus 1:1 experiential knowledge of the truth which accords with  godliness  1 Peter 1:22 purified your souls in obeying the truth...

4. Noble/Honorable [ignoble is infinitely ugly]  1 Timothy 3:8 not double-tongued..not greedy 11 not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things

2 Timothy 2:20 vessels..for honor or dishonor. 21 cleanses himself... vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. 22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

5. Just/Righteous (doing what is right in God's sight) [anything else is wrong] 1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

Hebrews 10:38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

6. Pure (undefiled, a prerequisite to worship) 1Jn 3:3 And every one that has this hope in him purifies himself, even as he is pure. Matthew 5:8

7. Lovely/Pleasing (pro-fond/friend; prized) either that which facilitates relationships (cx 4:2) and/or is winsome (cf Proverbs 18:24)

8. Good report/Admirable (laudable) Hebrews 11:2 by if (faith) men of old gained approval/good report

9. Virtue (moral excellence) 2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us TO glory and virtue, 4 promises, that dia these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, 6 to knowledge self-control, perseverance godliness, 7 brotherly kindness, and  love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. 10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

10. Praiseworthy (that which is worth of praise, used of God's acts, but moreso of our God-pleasing behavior)

Romans 2:29  circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit whose praise is not of men, but of God. 13:3 you shall have praise 1Co 4:5 reveal counsels of the hearts:then every man shall have praise of God. Ephesians 1:6,12,14...to the praise  of his glory.

Philippians 1:11  Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise  of God.

1 Peter 1:7 trial of your faith...might be found to praise and honor and glory at the appearing of JC 2:14 praise of them that do well.

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. What's the difference between the “peace of God” and the “God of peace”? What do you have to do to obtain each one?

2. What do people spend most of their time thinking about? How are Christians (supposed to be) different?

3. What keeps people from consistently applying God's Word to their lives? What helps/hinders the process?

4. Can you list some benefits of having your thoughts dwelling on Truth? Any disadvantages to not setting your mind on spiritual things?

5. How can you be purposeful and intentional in obeying Phil 4:8? How will you know that you are doing it?

Mark 7:20 And He said, "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man.
21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed
evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
22 thefts, covetousness, wickedness,
deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, evil speaking, pride, foolishness.
23 All these evil things come from within and defile a man."

Some Quotes to Meditate Upon:
 

MacArthur has some insightful comments on those things that are "true":

People no longer ask “Is it true?” but “Does it work?” and “How will it make me feel?” Those latter
two questions serve as a working definition of truth in our society that rejects the concept of absolute
divine truth. Truth is whatever works and produces positive emotions. Sadly, such pragmatism
and emotionalism has crept even into theology. The church is often more concerned about whether
something will be divisive or offensive than whether it is biblically true...Too many people go to
church not to think or reason about the truths of Scripture, but to get their weekly spiritual high; to feel
that God is still with them. Such people are spiritually unstable because they base their lives on feeling
rather than on thinking...Salvation involves the transformation of the mind

P Cole: We also must resist the pragmatism of our culture, which determines the true by whatever
works. If something works, which means, it brings you happiness (at least at the moment) or it
accomplishes what you want, then it must be true. But God’s Word doesn’t always line up with what
works. In fact, it’s clear that sin often brings pleasure for a season; if it didn’t we wouldn’t be so
enticed by it. Many of the “positive mental attitude” methods are effective in making you a successful
sales person. But the question is, Are they biblical? We must test everything by God’s Word, not by
feelings or pragmatism.