Philippians 4:1-9, Security vs. anxiety (2)

Some time ago (Sept. 22-Oct. 1, 2022) we posted on the subject “The Security of the Believer.”  In my understanding of Scripture there are 3 aspects to this doctrine.  First, there is the idea from 1 John 5:11-13 that he who has the Son has life and he who has not the Son of God does not have life.  Second, there is the work of the Holy Spirit in 1 John 4:2-3 who assures the believer of his relationship with Christ.  Paul speaks of this in Rom. 8:14-17: The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.  Third, there is the assurance that the believer experiences in his mind and heart.  Again, John dealt with this (1 Jn. 2:4): He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.  The believer does not have a sense of assurance (security) because he is not open to the Spirit’s ministry. 

What we are talking about in these posts are “character traits.”  In other words, we are talking about a “sense of security or assurance,” not just a theological truth.  It begins with the doctrine.  This is directed to believers in Christ, those who have received the free gift of eternal life (Rom. 6:23).  Then it depends on the Holy Spirit’s ministry.  Yet the believer may be anxious, living in doubt, because of sin in his or her life.  That’s why Paul gave to believers the truths of Phil. 4:6-7: Be anxious for nothing.  He knows we can be anxious.  But then he did not just say “have faith in God.”  He said, in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known unto God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  This “peace” is the sense of security we need in order to walk faithfully.  And therefore, what we will be looking for are those things, like prayer, that will produce this peace that surpasses knowledge.

Let me add one other thought, based on that phrase, the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding.  Remember that Jesus promised peace to His disciples, a peace not as the world gives (Jn. 14:27).  Any good psychiatrist, let me rephrase that, any psychiatrist will tell you that children need to have a sense of security.  They tell us that their misbehavior is caused by insecurities.  In my humble view, that is quite the oversimplification.  If you believe the Bible, that all humans are born with a propensity to sin (sin nature), you will agree with me.  But having said that, they are right that children need a sense of safety.  Parents need to provide the assurance of their love even in discipline.  The problem is that the average psychiatrist cannot really help parents with this because the “peace” they offer is without a relationship with their Creator and is thus just smoke and mirrors.  We will not make that mistake but will search the Scriptures for the true peace of God!