“Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me. I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you.” (Philippians 2:17–19, ESV)
In the three verses above, Paul speaks about the importance of joy in each and every verse! In many places in the New Testament epistles, Paul is serious, thoughtful, and reflective. In some places, Paul had strong words for errant followers of Christ. Still, when speaking to the Philippian church, Paul often spoke with warmth. Repeatedly, he spoke of not only his own joy in Christ but of the joy he had for the Philippian Christians.
In Philippians 2:17, Paul rejoiced even though his future seemed precarious. Paul’s life was in constant danger. He was stoned, threatened, and kicked out of cities. He was even left for dead as mentioned in Acts 14! Despite the dangers, Paul wanted the Philippian Christians to “rejoice” with him (Philippians 2:18). Paul also was excited that he was to “send Timothy” to the Philippian church on a mission. From Timothy, Paul would “be cheered by the news” of the Philippian Church successes. Is it any wonder Philippians is sometimes called Paul’s “epistle of joy”!
Our world today needs more joy. In study after study, scientists have found that people are unhappy, suffering, feeling lonely, or feeling isolated. The Covid-19 pandemic made things worse. People were told to “self-isolate”, keep six feet apart, wear masks, and stay at home. I fear children have fared the worst. Not only have learning levels dropped among children, behavioral health among the young has declined significantly. My friends in the fields of counseling and mental health have informed me that psychological issues and problems have arisen among all ages, but especially the young and teenagers. Our world is struggling with so many things. Technology hasn’t helped ease the pain. Social media and online gaming have made isolation and behavioral issues worse. Where children and youth used to interact in places like playgrounds, malls, churches, and after school programs, that now occurs less and less to the detriment of young and old alike.
With joy missing in so many places, you’d think that joy in Christ found among the faithful would permeate all levels of society. Sadly, many churches are not hubs of joy. In fact, many are not very good at rejoicing whatsoever. One pastor relayed to me that an usher chastised some people for laughing at a joke told by the pastor in the sanctuary! A member from a nearby church commented that she has been surprised lately by how few people smile during worship. On and on are the reports that joy and rejoicing and cheerfulness are absent among many Christians. Why? Don’t they see the connection between joy and godliness?
In his meditational, Drawing Near, John MacArthur examined Philippians 2:17-18, our scripture for today. He came to a few important conclusions. Not only did MacArthur understand that “Paul placed greater significance on the faith and spiritual well-being of his readers than on his own life. To suffer for Christ’s sake brought him joy, and he wanted the Philippians to understand that perspective and rejoice with him.” Paul dealt with his suffering by constant rejoicing. That’s why in Philippians 4, he wrote “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4, ESV). In some final words, MacArthur concluded that Paul wanted the Philippian Christians “to understand that joy doesn’t operate in a vacuum. It is directly related to godly living. Christ is its source, obedience is its sustenance” (p. 44, Drawing Near).
If joy is missing in your day, MacArthur would argue that you need to move closer to Christ and resort to godly living. I have found that people who have strayed from God will in time lose their spiritual joy. Then, often their happiness in life will go missing. If you want to have joy in your life, spend more time in the presence of God. Put yourself at the feet of your Savior! Devote yourself to godly living. Make amends. Open yourself up to the Holy Spirit. Ask for forgiveness and grace from your loving God. You should find as your relationship with Christ deepens, so does your joy in life! I’m sure the Apostle Paul would wholeheartedly agree based on the scripture for today alone!
In Philippians 2:17, Paul rejoiced even though his future seemed precarious. Paul’s life was in constant danger. He was stoned, threatened, and kicked out of cities. He was even left for dead as mentioned in Acts 14! Despite the dangers, Paul wanted the Philippian Christians to “rejoice” with him (Philippians 2:18). Paul also was excited that he was to “send Timothy” to the Philippian church on a mission. From Timothy, Paul would “be cheered by the news” of the Philippian Church successes. Is it any wonder Philippians is sometimes called Paul’s “epistle of joy”!
Our world today needs more joy. In study after study, scientists have found that people are unhappy, suffering, feeling lonely, or feeling isolated. The Covid-19 pandemic made things worse. People were told to “self-isolate”, keep six feet apart, wear masks, and stay at home. I fear children have fared the worst. Not only have learning levels dropped among children, behavioral health among the young has declined significantly. My friends in the fields of counseling and mental health have informed me that psychological issues and problems have arisen among all ages, but especially the young and teenagers. Our world is struggling with so many things. Technology hasn’t helped ease the pain. Social media and online gaming have made isolation and behavioral issues worse. Where children and youth used to interact in places like playgrounds, malls, churches, and after school programs, that now occurs less and less to the detriment of young and old alike.
With joy missing in so many places, you’d think that joy in Christ found among the faithful would permeate all levels of society. Sadly, many churches are not hubs of joy. In fact, many are not very good at rejoicing whatsoever. One pastor relayed to me that an usher chastised some people for laughing at a joke told by the pastor in the sanctuary! A member from a nearby church commented that she has been surprised lately by how few people smile during worship. On and on are the reports that joy and rejoicing and cheerfulness are absent among many Christians. Why? Don’t they see the connection between joy and godliness?
In his meditational, Drawing Near, John MacArthur examined Philippians 2:17-18, our scripture for today. He came to a few important conclusions. Not only did MacArthur understand that “Paul placed greater significance on the faith and spiritual well-being of his readers than on his own life. To suffer for Christ’s sake brought him joy, and he wanted the Philippians to understand that perspective and rejoice with him.” Paul dealt with his suffering by constant rejoicing. That’s why in Philippians 4, he wrote “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4, ESV). In some final words, MacArthur concluded that Paul wanted the Philippian Christians “to understand that joy doesn’t operate in a vacuum. It is directly related to godly living. Christ is its source, obedience is its sustenance” (p. 44, Drawing Near).
If joy is missing in your day, MacArthur would argue that you need to move closer to Christ and resort to godly living. I have found that people who have strayed from God will in time lose their spiritual joy. Then, often their happiness in life will go missing. If you want to have joy in your life, spend more time in the presence of God. Put yourself at the feet of your Savior! Devote yourself to godly living. Make amends. Open yourself up to the Holy Spirit. Ask for forgiveness and grace from your loving God. You should find as your relationship with Christ deepens, so does your joy in life! I’m sure the Apostle Paul would wholeheartedly agree based on the scripture for today alone!