Nobody likes hard times! In his letter to the Philippians, Paul writes from prison to thank that church for their generous support and to encourage them to remain joyful in every circumstance, no matter what they face in life at the moment! Paul is an older, wiser man here, reflecting on all he has faced in life, which is more than you and I will ever face: shipwrecks, beatings, imprisonments, riots, sleepless nights and hunger, humiliation, poverty, mocked as an imposter, rejection, and constant hardship and distresses! And yet the summary of his entire letter can be found in Phil.4:4, which says “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near!”
All of us want to be happy most the time, but life doesn’t work that way! What happens to us when “the wheels come off”? When money is scarce, when health deteriorates, we lose a job, or a loved one gets sick or dies? This beautiful letter to the Philippian church shows us the great difference between the world’s shallow definition of “happiness”, and what the Bible defines as “joy”.
In the introduction in my “Life Application Bible”, it says, “True joy is deep and strong, not superficial. It is the quiet, confident assurance of God’s love and work in our lives— that he will be there no matter what! Our happiness should not depend on what happens to us, but on what happens in us— the transformation that takes place when we put our trust in Jesus Christ and his Holy Spirit comes to live in us, giving us God’s perspective on life and all the ups and downs that come with it.”
In chapter 1, Paul gives us four major guideposts that can bring us true joy and peace as we face life’s adversities, disappointments, and pain.
1) BEGIN EVERY DAY AND SITUATION WITH THANKFULNESS AND PRAYER FOR YOUR FAMILY AND OTHER BELIEVERS THAT GOD HAS GRACIOSULY BROUGHT INTO YOUR LIFE!
3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. -Philippians 1:3-6 (ESV)
Paul reminds us that we are not alone, and God is working in our friends’ lives as well to bring about his greater purpose for our lives together. Also, we find comfort in knowing none of us “has it all together”! But God is working continually in our lives to help us grow together and become, slowly, more like Jesus. God will not give up on us, and we should not give up either!
Remember, joy consists of internal stability in spite of external circumstances!
9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. -Philippians 1:9-11 (ESV)
Paul encourages us to pray for each other that we have God’s knowledge and discernment, so we end up doing the right things the right way, as God leads us!
2) EVEN WHEN LIFE IS UNFAIR AND YOU ARE TREATED WRONGLY, GOD WILL USE EVERY SITAUTION TO ADVANCE HIS PURPOSE IN YOUR LIFE AND TO ADVANCE HIS KINGDOM IN THE WORLD!
12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. 15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will.
16 The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.
– Philippians 1:12-18 (ESV)
Paul was falsely imprisoned, but instead of whining and demanding justice, he basically said, “Hey, guys, it’s all good! God is doing a great thing in spite of this unfair junk!” The guards that had to stay with him heard the gospel from him and many became Christians. He also wanted to encourage others on the outside to be strong and bold in their faith!
There were other church people who were jealous of Paul and were secretly glad he was in prison! They wanted to take credit for the work of the church instead of Paul. I know, it’s hard to believe that church people would do that (lol), but backstabbing is nothing new to Christians who are weak in character and whose motives are wrong! Paul was strong and gracious enough to let this roll off his back and say “Hey, Jesus is being preached and that’s the most important thing, even if it’s coming from selfish Christians!” God works with imperfect people, including us!
3) GOD WILL PROVIDE WHAT WE TRULY NEED IN THIS LIFE, AND PROMISES AN EVEN BETTER LIFE BEYOND THIS ONE! WE NEED THAT ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE TO REMAIN JOYOUS AND PUT OUR PRESENT HARD CIRCUMSTANCES IN PROPER PERSPECTIVE!
20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me. – Philippians 1:20-26 (NIV)
This is one of my favorite passages!! After my wife Claudia died 20 months ago, I have come to look at death a little differently. Don’t get me wrong! I hope to live maybe another 18-20 years and enjoy my family and friends, enjoy God’s creation, maybe share life with another wonderful partner, and in all ways serve Jesus and share the good news of his beautiful Kingdom! But like Paul, I have come to see the eventual death of my body not as something to fear. Rather, it will be a transition into a whole new, wonderful existence in the presence of Jesus! And soon, all of us as his followers will return to earth with him as he establishes his new, amazing Kingdom forever, without sin, sickness, and death! So if you are a believer in Jesus, you will NEVER die! Your feeble body will die, but YOU will live forever, and then we will get new bodies that will never get sick or die! So, like Paul says, it’s great to be here now, but it will be even better in the new Kingdom! We have absolutely nothing to fear on this earth, because Jesus has already overcome every evil force, and justice will be done when he returns!
So, relax in Jesus, love him, love each other, love creation, and just enjoy the life he has given you!
4) BECAUSE OF WHAT GOD HAS ALREADY DONE FOR US, WE ARE CALLED TO ALWAYS LIVE A LIFE WORTHY OF THE GOSPEL, AND LIVE WITH THE JOY AND PEACE THAT ONLY JESUS CAN GIVE US!
27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved–and that by God. 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have. – Philippians 1:27-30 (NIV)
Paul is saying that even though you are going through hardships, disappointments, and suffering (and we all will at times), live in a way that honors and reflects what Jesus is doing is your life and what he has already done for us through his death and resurrection! Too many Christian are afraid of what experts, politicians, governments, and pundits say today. And sadly, way too many get caught up in the negative, destructive words and attitudes that are destroying our culture today. Rather than building each other up, we are often tearing each other down!
Paul is telling us to live like Jesus did! Love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you (or today, those that try to “cancel” you), and forgive those who sin against you, just as God forgives you. And most of all, don’t be afraid!! Jesus has already won the ultimate battle, and we are on his side forever! Paul says if we Christians can live with peace, joy, calmness, and act in love in the midst of today’s chaotic culture, people will notice. Some will see our fearless behavior as a sign that they also need to change or face God’s judgement. Others may scoff and ridicule us, but there is really NOTHING they can ultimately do to hurt us or keep us from God and his future Kingdom!
So, whatever your circumstances are today, whether difficult or good at the moment, relax and fully trust in Jesus, and he will give you all you need to live a life of true joy!
Remember, it’s not what’s happening around us that matters; it’s what God is doing IN us that makes all the difference!
Relax, trust only in Jesus, and let him lead you into the life that he has designed uniquely for you in this world!
Jesus offers us a wonderful invitation:
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” -Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
I pray you accept this invitation, and find his joy and rest for your soul!