Practice These Things 行这些事

[Dexu Xia]

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. Philippians 4:9

As I helped my son with his math homework, it became apparent he was less than enthusiastic about doing multiple problems related to the same concept. “I’ve got it, Dad!” he insisted, hoping I would let him out of doing all of his assignment. I then gently explained to him that a concept is just a concept until we learn how to work it out in practice.

Paul wrote about practice to his friends in Philippi. “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice” (Philippians 4:9). He mentions five things: reconciliation—as he urged Euodia and Syntyche to do (vv. 2–3); joy—as he reminded his readers to cultivate (v. 4); gentleness—as he urged them to employ in their relation to the world (v. 5); prayer—as he had modeled for them in person and in writing (vv. 6–7); and focus—as he had shown even in prison (v. 8). Reconciliation, joy, gentleness, prayer, and focus—things we’re called to live out as believers in Jesus. Like any habit, these virtues must be practiced in order to be cultivated.

But the good news of the gospel, as Paul had already told the Philippians, is that “it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (2:13). We’re never practicing in our own power. God will provide what we need (4:19).

What things do you need to practice as you seek to imitate Jesus? How can you practice in the power of the Holy Spirit?

Jesus, give me the grace to practice Your ways by the power of the Holy Spirit. Empower me to live my life in a way that bears the fruit of the Spirit.

你们在我身上所学习的，所领受的，所听见的，所看见的，这些事你们都要去行。—腓立比书4章9节

我陪着儿子做他的数学作业，对于解答同一个概念的多个问题，他显然兴趣缺缺。他坚称自己已经懂了，希望我可以通融一下，不要求他把所有题目都做完。我温和地向他解释，概念就只是概念，除非我们学会怎么实践应用。

在写给腓立比教会的书信中，保罗也谈到实践，并劝勉信徒：“你们在我身上所学习的，所领受的，所听见的，所看见的，这些事你们都要去行”（腓立比书4章9节）。保罗提到五件事：和好，劝友阿爹和循都基要同心（2-3节）；喜乐，提醒读者要培养喜乐的心（4节）；谦让，劝告他们在与人来往时，要让人看见他们谦让的心（5节）；祷告，如同他曾亲身和在信中为他们示范（6-7节）；专注，就像保罗即使身陷囹圄仍然有的表现（8节）。和好、喜乐、谦让、祷告和专注，都是基督徒应当要活出的美德。像其他的习惯一样，这些美德也必须要一再地练习，才能培养精进。

然而，如同保罗早已告诉腓立比教会，这福音有个好消息，就是我们立志行事都是上帝在我们心里运行，为要成就祂的美意（2章13节）。我们不必靠自己的力量去行，因上帝会供应我们一切所需用的（4章19节）。

当你要效法耶稣时，需要练习哪些事呢？
你要如何靠着圣灵的能力去实践呢？

耶稣，愿祢赐我恩典能倚靠圣灵的能力遵行祢的教导。
求祢赐我能力，能不断实践祢的话，
结出圣灵的果子。