I went to Connecticut yesterday to attend a wedding, and it was very a joyous occasion. And the next day, before I headed back to Cornell, I attended Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan. Tim Keller’s message was so brilliant, so I thought I’d go over a few of the points that hit me hard.

The passage was Philippians 4:4-12.

If you open up any self-help anxiety-free book, they will tell you not to think about the big issues of life. They will tell you to focus on what you have in front of you and to basically ignore the big things. Why? Because thinking about the big things make us seem insignificant, and it makes us feel like we don’t have control over the situation. Just accept the life you have right now, and don’t think through the implications.

Paul says to think about whatever is true, noble, and right. These are the attributes of God, and often times, Paul uses these words to describe doctrine. Essentially, Paul is saying to think about doctrine, about the truths of God. Think about the big issues of life. Think about who God is, who you are, and how that fits together. Why? Because those truths bring peace. If God exists, and God loves us, and He came and dwelt among us, and He died for us, and we are redeemed and reconciled, that ought to bring peace. Basically, if you believe in Christianity, and you don’t have peace, then you’re not thinking enough. Think more, and get the peace.

Secondly, Paul says to think about whatever is pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. These are the attributes of God as well. Don’t just think about the truth of God but the beauty and attraction of God. What’s the difference? Beauty and love are emotional. It’s not just head knowledge but heart investment. And why should we invest our hearts on God? Because that is the only thing that will bring peace. St. Augustine said, “Only love of the immutable will bring tranquility.” The love of anything that is changing will bring disappointment, because one day, the very thing in the lovable that caused the love will no longer exist. Only true purity, love, admiration, excellency, and praiseworthiness, found in God alone can satisfy the swaying longing heart and bring peace.

How does one do all of this? Only through the cross. At the cross, Jesus was abandoned, and without the peace of God, He was a raging sea on the inside. He was crying out with agony on the cross, with a nature much unlike anything else in His entire earthly life. This was done because He became sin for us, so that we might be His righteousness. He was forsaken that we might be accepted. He lost perfect peace so that we can find perfect peace.

– Larry