AUTHENTIC JOY
“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.” ~ Phil. 4:4
The book of Philippians is one of Paul’s prison epistles. This aging “war horse” is bound in chains, failing in health, and his life hangs in the balances; yet he is triumphant in the most difficult of circumstances. Through his inspired pen, we find that real joy can only be found in Jesus Christ.
IT CAN'T BE SHUTOUT
This little letter shows it is not so much what is going on around us that counts, but what’s going on inside of us. In the heading of Philippians, in one of my old Bibles, I entitled it, “Jailhouse Joy.” Paul’s mini message shows we can have joy in confinement, no matter what that particular imprisonment may be! It can’t be shutout; it can enter any place!
NOT FOR A FEW ELITE- BUT ALL GOD'S ELECT
Joy is not to be an occasional experience for exceptional people. The Apostle tells his readers it is to be an “always” attribute for “all” the saints. He tells us, as well as shows us joy can be present not only in pleasure but in pain; in darkness as well as in daylight. And just in case they’re slow in apprehending this truth, he repeats it, “…again I say, Rejoice.”
THE PRELIMINARY TO JOY
Authentic joy comes from grasping the truth of Romans 8:28. Once this is believed and embraced in the life of the suffering saint, a sad soul is immediately replaced by a glad spirit. Joy is not a passing emotional feeling, but a settled assurance that God is in control! That is cause for real rejoicing, no matter what our condition.
PONDER THESE TWO TEXTS ON APPROPRIATING JOY BY FAITH
“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing…”~ Rom. 15:13
“Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.”~ 1 Pet. 1:8"
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