+I. The nature of this defending principle.+--It has as its basis
forgiving mercy.
+II. Its author.+--"The peace of God." It is called His peace,
because that work of mercy on which it rests is His work, and He
Himself communicates the peace.
+III. Its property.+--"Passeth all understanding." 1. _The
understanding of such as are strangers to it._ 2. _They who enjoy it
the most cannot fully comprehend it._
+IV. Its effects.+--"Shall keep your hearts and minds." 1. _In
temptation it secures the heart by satisfying the heart._ 2. _It
keeps the heart in affliction._ 3. _It keeps the mind by settling the
judgment, and keeping doubts and errors out of the mind._
+V. Its source and the instrumentality by which it works.+--"Through
Christ Jesus."--_C. Bradley._
_MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.--Verses_ 8, 9.
_The Science of Christian Ethics_--
+I. Demands the study of every genuine virtue.+--"Whatsoever things
are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, . . . think on
these things" (ver. 8). In regard to what is honourable, just, pure,
lovely, and of good report, there is a true and a false standard, and
for this reason the apostle here places the true at the beginning,
that when the following exhortations are presented, this fact which
our experience so often discloses may at once occur to the Christian,
and he may be led to examine himself and see whether he also is
everywhere seeking for the true (_Schleiermacher_). Genuine virtue
has its root in genuine religion. The modern school of ethics, which
professes to teach morality as something apart from spiritual
Christianity, is a return to the exploded theories of pagan
moralists, an attempt to dress up pre-Christian philosophy in a
nineteenth-century garb. The morality that is lovely and of good
report is Christian morality--the practical, liveable ethics of the
New Testament. The ethical terms used in this verse are closely
united. The true, the becoming, the right, and the pure are elements
of virtue or moral excellence, and when exhibited in practical life
are lovely and worthy of all praise. The charm of the Christian
character is not the cultivation of one virtue that overshadows all
the rest, but the harmonious blending of all the virtues in the unity
of the Christian life. Christian ethics should be earnestly studied,
not as matters of pure speculation, but because of their supreme
importance and utility in the moral conduct of every-day life.
+II. Requires the translation of high moral principles into practical
life.+--"Those things which ye have both learned, and received, and
heard, and seen in me, do" (ver. 9). It is one thing to ponder,
admire, and applaud morality; it is another thing to practise it. The
apostle not only taught Christian ethics, but practised them, and
could point to his own example as worthy of imitation; it was not,
"Do as I say," but "Do as I do." Christian morality is of little
value as a mere creed of ethics; its true power is seen in changing,
elevating, and refining the life. We have all to lament there is such
a wide chasm between theory and practice. Theory may be learned in a
brief period; practice is the work of a lifetime. The theory of music
may be rapidly apprehended, but the mastery of any one instrument,
such as the violin or organ, demands patient and incessant practice.
It means detail-work, plod, perseverance, genius. So is it with every
virtue of Christian ethics. Theory and practice should go together;
the one helps the other; practice more clearly defines theory, and
theory more fully apprehended stimulates practice. It is the practice
of Christian morality that preaches to the world a Gospel that it
cannot fail to understand and that is doing so much to renovate it.
Lord Bolingbroke, an avowed infidel, declared: "No religion ever
appeared in the world whose tendency was so much directed to promote
the peace and happiness of mankind as the Christian religion. The
Gospel of Christ is one continued lesson of the strictest morality,
of justice, benevolence, and universal charity. Supposing
Christianity to be a human invention, it is the most amiable and
successful invention that ever was imposed on mankind for their good."
+III. Links practical morality with the promise of Divine
blessing.+--"And the God of peace shall be with you" (ver. 9). The
upright man--the man who is striving to shape and mould his life on
the ethics of the New Testament--shall not only enjoy peace, the
peace of God, which passeth all understanding, but the God of peace
shall be with him and in him. True religion, in healthy activity,
gives, and can alone give, a restfulness of spirit such as the
troubles of life are impotent to disturb. The two vital elements of
true religion are communion with God and the diligent cultivation of
practical holiness--conformity to the will of God in all things. Pray
and bring forth the fruits of the Spirit, and the God of peace shall
be with you, preserving you from unrest and harm. The peace of God is
also an active principle, gentle and noiseless in its activity, which
will help the soul to grow in ethical symmetry and beauty.
+Lessons.+--1. _The Gospel is the foundation of the highest ethics._
2. _No system of morality is trustworthy that does not lead to holy
practice._ 3. _God helps the man who is honestly striving to live up
to his light._
_GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES._