the Apostle Paul gave this last piece of advice to the saints in Philippi in his letter to them. This advice has two conditions, an assignment, and an expected result.
(there is a pre-condition that is assumed. This is that Paul is writing to followers of God, He’s not telling them this is a “formula” for salvation. He’s speaking to the believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. This counsel from Paul is to born again believers, not seekers, looking for a way to improve their lives.)
The conditions: First, if you believe in goodness, and second, if you value the approval of God.
If you believe in goodness…
This is not a sappy belief in a feel good thought that makes you feel warm and fuzzy after you read or hear about how someone did something good. This is a goodness rooted in righteousness. This is a belief grounded in selflessness with no expectation of payback.
if you value the approval of God…
This is a fantastic condition. As man was created, he was created to value (worship) God. He was please to possess the approval of God because he understood who God was and who he was. God, the uncreated one. Man, created by the uncreated one. Wow.
So Paul tells the church to act on the things they have learned, received, heard, and seen from him. Put this into action.
If the peace of God is to be possessed by the believer, he must put his mind to work on these things Paul puts before him. Meaning you and I will have to be transformed.
Listen, it is a grace of God to hear news of Him extending grace to a woman with breast cancer. It is heart warming to hear that God has restored love to a loveless marriage. It drives a man to silence when a wayward child returns. The jaw is dropped when you drive by a mangled car on the interstate and driver and passengers standing, embracing each other, counting their safety as an act of a sovereign, living God. It is a wonder of wonders to hear news of a woman with child as God displays his glory.
But this is not how the peace of God is tasted.
This peace comes as a result of a supernatural transformation. Ask God to help you fix your mind on the things which are holy, right, pure, beautiful, and good. And then, look to Him to help you model your conduct from what you learn.
“Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely , whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” (Phil 4:8 NASB)
Then, you will find the God of peace will be with you.