Thursday, January 30, 2025

            Some people suggest that “joy” is the key word for Paul’s letter to the Philippians.  And a quick or cursory reading of Philippians would back up such a conclusion.  This New Testament book does make “joy” a priority.  Paul began this letter by identifying his audience.  He wrote, “to all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi.”  Even today, we could easily see ourselves in this greeting.  We may not have lived in the first century as the original recipients did but we are part of God’s family or “God’s holy people.” 
            This word “holy” means separate or distinct.  We often speak of God being holy because He is distinct and separate from humanity, the creation and anything else.  God has no equal.  God has no opposite.  God has no counterpart.  There is God and everything else.  This “everything else” is the creation and all created beings.  You may recall that Genesis opens with the words, “in the beginning, God.”  There was no one but God when the universe began. 
            Paul called the believers in Philippi (and today) “God’s holy people in Christ Jesus.”  God’s people are distinct, separate and called to be different.  One way we are different is by the joy we possess and manifest in and through Christ Jesus.  What is the source of that joy?  Why can believers be called joyful people?  Paul even answered that question in Philippians—in many different places.  Let’s consider just a few reasons why we can live as joyful and joy-filled people.  First, we are the recipients of grace and peace from God.  Christ won these blessings for us at the cross.  Grace saves, forgives and remakes us.  Peace comes from the recognition of what we have gained in Christ.  We are now free from sin and the clutches of Satan through our faith in Christ alone.
            Second, we experience joy through the presence of Christ with us now and His promise to claim us for eternity.  Paul succinctly wrote, “for to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).  We are truly never alone.  Christ remains our shepherd for every second of life and every second of eternity.  You may suffer betrayal and pain at the hands of others or situations that arise in life but these things never overtake the presence of Christ on earth or in eternity.
            Third, we experience joy by knowing that God is at work in us and for us.  Paul wrote, “for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose” (Philippians 2:13).  God is consistently working to make us increasingly like Christ.  He is working to develop the fruit of the Spirit within us—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control.  Consider today what God may be doing in your life.  How is He working to form and shape you?
            Fourth, we can be content in any circumstances.  Paul wrote, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:12-13).  Whether your life is running over or running short, we can trust that God will provide and supply whatever we may need.  God’s riches are abundant and matchless.  His resources never run dry.  Paul certainly knew lean times and demanding times but He was confident that the Lord would neither forget nor forsake Him.  That same joy is afforded to us today too.
            Finally, we are joyful because we can trust all things to the Lord for His care and custody.  Paul wrote, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).  We do not have to let circumstances rob us of our joy.  We do not have to give control of our joy to other people.  Since joy comes from the Lord, we can trust that the Lord will keep and sustain our joy.  Paul even bids us to dwell and think on the things that are right, true, noble, pure, lovely and admirable.  Thinking on and seeing these things can turn our focus away from the things that would rob us of joy.  Have a great Thursday!