Young People's Group

Let Us Walk by the Same Rule

by Mitchell Tan
January 10, 2019

THE PERIPATETIC PRINCIPLE

Our understanding of doctrine must be applied carefully in the way we live. Doctrine must be matched with a right manner of life. Timothy understood and practised this principle. He learnt to follow after the same example of Paul in the way He lived and served. He had learnt to follow after the same walk of life as his mentor (Philippians 2:19-23). This was something that Paul was challenging the Philippians to do too.

“Let us walk by the same rule”
Philippians 3:16

The Philippians were meant to walk according to the same standard as those who serve the Lord faithfully. There was Timothy and Epaphroditus who ministered for the Lord. They were walking in line with him. The Philippians were also meant to walk in sync with them. They were to follow Paul’s example and to walk as they did. The Greek word for “walk” (Philippians 3:17) is the word “peripateo”. The way Paul and company lived and conducted themselves were seen as a walk of life. This can be considered as the peripatetic principle. This was a principle that was developed further by Paul when he wrote to the Ephesian Church. It can be seen in three aspects

1. WALK IN LOVE

“And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given us Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.”
Ephesians 5:2

We are meant to walk with reference to love. The reference point is the Lord Jesus’ kind of love. It is one which is most sacrificial. He gave Himself for us that He may be a sweet offering to God.

2. WALK IN THE LIGHT

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.”
Ephesians 5:8

Christians are not meant to return to the way of darkness. There was a time when we were darkness, but we have seen the light of His gospel and now we are light in the sphere of Christ. The challenge is to walk as children of light.

3. WALK CIRCUMSPECTLY

“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”
Ephesians 5:15-16

We are to also walk carefully and wisely. We should not be like fools who waste away their time. The days ahead are evil. We want to make sure that we would make full use of the time that we have.

PRACTISING THE PERIPATETIC PRINCIPLE

1. IT TAKES SPIRITUAL MATURITY

“Therefore, let us, as many as are mature, have this mind”
Philippians 3:15

Before we can walk well, we need to have spiritual maturity. The more spiritually mature we are, the more we would be of the same focus. Let’s seek to grow further in maturity.

2. IT TAKES THE SAME MINDSET

“Let us be of the same mind.”
Philippians 3:16

To walk by the same rule, we need to have the same mindset. There must come oneness of understanding. If we lack such understanding, then let’s seek the Lord to reveal things to us. Let’s truly seek to be of the same mind and heart in life and service to God.

Back to Article Listing