In my bible, the intro to Philippians states that we search for HAPPINESS by spending money, collecting things, and searching for new experiences. But what happens when our stuff no longer makes us happy, our money is stolen (because of the stock market or unwise spending or however), and the happiness of new experiences does not last? In contrast, JOY is the quiet, confident assurance of God’s love and that He will be there for us no matter what! Happiness is totally in the realm of the flesh (body gratification) and soul (our mind, will, and emotions) and depends on “stuff” and events. Joy is spiritual and is based on Jesus and what His death has provided for us.
The subtitle of Chapter 1 is “Joy in Suffering.” Paul wrote the book of Philippians from prison. If we were in prison, would our letters to our friends and families be filled with thankfulness and rejoicing? Would we have a selfless attitude like Paul? Whatever Paul’s circumstances, he was not timid or ashamed in preaching Jesus. Am I bold to share Jesus no matter the circumstance? Paul rejoiced over the gospel being preach “on the outside” by those with pure motives. He was also aware that some “on the outside” were preaching out of jealousy, rivalry, and selfish ambition – they had the “spot light” now that he, Paul, was “out of the way.” But Paul rejoiced that in spite of the motives, every time they opened their mouths, the Good News was being preached!
Two other things spoke to me. Verse 6 – “And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again.” Do you ever feel like you are not making any progress, that you should be further down the spiritual road than you are, or that you are going around that same mountain AGAIN? At those times in our lives, we need to read verse 6, God’s promise to us that we are a work in progress to be finished on the day Jesus comes back!
Verse 11 says that we should always be filled with the fruit of our salvation – those good things that are produced in our life by Jesus Christ…” The fruit of our salvation are all the character traits in our lives that come from a right relationship with God through Jesus.
Father, God, help us to stop looking back at our shortcomings and help us to stop looking head at how far we have to go; rather help us to look at today so we don’t miss the opportunities you give us to share Jesus. Thank you for continuing the good work in each of us and that you will bring it to completion. In Jesus name, Amen.
1 comment:
That is really good. I like how he talks about "joy" and "rejoicing" too, despite the difficult circumstance. The difference between happiness and joy is that happiness is a "feeling" and joy is and "attitude". We might not "feel" happy when we are going through a difficult time, but we can have an "attitude" of joy no matter what is going on. Jail would be no fun, especially if we went to jail for just being a Christian. Joy is an attitude we can choose to have in any circumstance, no matter how we "feel". An attitude of joy causes us to rejoice. Paul has such a great attitude. He is really positive. I love v 12-19 where he is telling people he's ministering to (the philippines) "don't worry about what has happened to me! It has actually turned out for the furtherance of the Gospel! He says he is rejoicing b/c of that and in verse 19 he basically says that everything he is going through is a good thing b/c it is going to lead to his deliverance and great things God wants to do through him. What a great attitude. He really gives us a wonderful example of choosing that "joy" attitude. We can all choose to have that same joy attitude...and it rubs off on other people. People are drawn to positive people, especially in difficult times like we are living in now. It is a drag to be around negative people that always point out everything wrong. We should be the most positive people on the planet as Christians b/c we have a hope no matter what is going on in the world.
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