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.
Philippians 4:9
Devotional Message
There is a gap between knowing and doing in spiritual life, and Paul’s instructions to the Philippians to follow his example and teaching is a key message for each of us. There are multiple ways of receiving instruction: learning, receiving, hearing, and seeing. But in order for this knowledge to be lived and demonstrated, we must ‘put it into practice’—living out God’s word, truths, and principles in our daily lives. Because when we embody His character and live it out, we are promised that His presence as ‘the God of peace’ will be felt.
Every spiritual truth we learn through Scripture or the stories in the Bible are not for us to just read or hear about—they are our guiding light on how to live in God’s image, to learn from these godly examples and act in alignment with them in our present-day reality. To love one another, to trust God’s timing, to not fear—these simple ways of being are instructions for each of us, and so simply hearing or learning them isn’t enough to experience God’s peace. We must live by them, act toward them, and become them, in order for us to feel His presence and show others how to follow.
Because how can we truly feel God? When we trust in His word. When we rely on Him. When we depend on Him. That is the moment we not only learn the truths, but also practice them. As Paul demonstrated through both his teaching and his life, knowledge becomes powerful when it transforms into action, and in that faithful practice, ‘the God of peace will be with you.’
Let’s Pray
Dear God, I am aware that there are certain areas of my life where I know your truths, character, and word, yet fail to put them into practice fully. Despite learning about your teachings, I often forget or dismiss what I have been taught. But I am grateful for those godly examples and teachers who serve as my north star on how to live in this world.
Today, help me apply the spiritual truths that I have learned consistently throughout my day. Help me respond with love, help me not fear, help me surrender to your timing. I want to experience the peace that comes with living out what I’ve learned, received, heard, and seen from your word. Help me also be an example for others to follow, just as Paul was for the Philippians. Thank you for your promise to be with me as the God of peace as I practice true faithfulness. Amen.
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