Finding Solutions to Life in the Scriptures

Philippians 1-4

• People sometimes argue and complain over petty matters in church meetings or throughout the week (Philippians 2:1–8, 14–15).

 We are commanded in Philippians to do all things without murmuring. Our goals should be to have a mind like Christ. In Philippians it talks about Christ's obedience, all the way until death. If we are truly trying to be like Christ then we will also be striving to be obedient. If our Savior can be obedient unto death, we should be ashamed to be complaining over petty things in our church meetings. In vs. 15 it says that if we do things without murmuring and disputation we will be able to stand as we should as examples and shine as lights unto the world.

• Many youth feel that their parents’ testimony is sufficient for them. Since they have good parents, they rely on them for all their spiritual strength  

( Philippians 2:12–15) 

In the gospel everyone is given the responsibility to work out their own salvation. That means that we must be anxiously engaged in reaching our eternal salvation. In order to do this you must have a testimony. The spirit has to be able to speak to you if you are to be Christ's instrument.  In Philippians we learn that our Heavenly Father expects us to obey even in His absence. In order to do this we have to be able to have motivation to live what's right, and guidance to know what that would be. It will never be enough to rely on someones testimony or spiritual strength- we have to learn to stand on our own.

 

• An investigator is considering joining the Church, but his family will no longer associate with him if he does 

(Philippians 3:7–16; 4:13). 

 

If our trust is in Heavenly Father we will be able to overcome all trials. If the investigator has gained a testimony and can have faith then Heavenly Father can soften the hearts of his family or make him strong enough to live what he knows is right. If he chooses not to get baptized for his family he is laying aside things of eternity for things that are temporal.

Although it is a hard situation, making the choice to be baptized will bring him to eternal life and to everlasting joy and happiness in the end. He also can stand as an example to them, and God will strengthen him as he does and bless him for his diligence. 

 

In 2 Nephi 32:3 we are taught that all guidance in life can be found in the scriptures. The scriptures are the word of God and have been given to the men who wrote it through inspiration of the Spirit. They knew the guidance that we would need, and it has been given to us if we only look.

Often times we believe that the scriptures don't apply to us, but if we look for principles we will find that the people in these stories can give us principles that we can use and apply to all aspects of our lives through trials and hardships.