Post by Cindy on May 31, 2021 5:52:23 GMT -5
My brethren, rejoice in the Lord. PHILIPPIANS 3:1
The apostle Paul’s joy was unrelated to his circumstances. If it had been tied to pleasures on earth, possessions, freedom, prestige, outward success, or a good reputation, he wouldn’t have had any joy.
Paul’s joy was centered on his ministry and was indifferent toward all other things. That’s why he could tell the Philippians, “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you with all joy” (Phil. 1:3–4). He had joy in spite of trouble, as long as Christ’s cause was advanced. He had joy in spite of detractors, as long as Christ’s name was proclaimed. He had joy in spite of death, as long as Christ was exalted. And he had joy in spite of the flesh, as long as Christ’s church was assisted.
MACARTHUR, Truth for today: a daily touch of God’s grace
The NT makes it abundantly plain. It is relationship with Jesus that is a vital source of our joy. Jesus Himself spoke of two ways that we might find joy in Him. He said, “If you obey My commands, you will remain in My love, just as I have obeyed My Father’s commands and remain in His love. I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:10–11). And, “Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete” (16:24). As we go on we make other discoveries about joy. We see that it is produced in us by the Holy Spirit, and is a fruit of His presence (Luke 10:21; Gal. 5:22; 1 Thes. 1:6). It's not linked with material possessions but rather is an overflow of salvation (Acts 8:8; 16:34).
Even persecution could not dampen the joy that glowed in early Christians, for their joy wasn't dependent on external circumstances (Acts 13:52; 2 Cor. 7:4; James 1:2). Peter even said that “in this [salvation] you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed”
It's true that even pagans can know joy, as they find it in the good things that God's given to all human beings so liberally. But we know a heightened joy; a joy that's rooted in the bond that exists between us & the Lord, & the bond that exists with other believers whom we've come to love. (Rom. 16:19; Phil. 1:4, 25–26; 2:2, 29; 4:1; Heb. 13:17; 1 John 1:4). The deeper our relationship with Jesus & with His people, the greater the joy that awaits us, & the less that joy is dependent on external circumstances.
The teacher’s commentary
The apostle Paul’s joy was unrelated to his circumstances. If it had been tied to pleasures on earth, possessions, freedom, prestige, outward success, or a good reputation, he wouldn’t have had any joy.
Paul’s joy was centered on his ministry and was indifferent toward all other things. That’s why he could tell the Philippians, “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you with all joy” (Phil. 1:3–4). He had joy in spite of trouble, as long as Christ’s cause was advanced. He had joy in spite of detractors, as long as Christ’s name was proclaimed. He had joy in spite of death, as long as Christ was exalted. And he had joy in spite of the flesh, as long as Christ’s church was assisted.
MACARTHUR, Truth for today: a daily touch of God’s grace
The NT makes it abundantly plain. It is relationship with Jesus that is a vital source of our joy. Jesus Himself spoke of two ways that we might find joy in Him. He said, “If you obey My commands, you will remain in My love, just as I have obeyed My Father’s commands and remain in His love. I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:10–11). And, “Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete” (16:24). As we go on we make other discoveries about joy. We see that it is produced in us by the Holy Spirit, and is a fruit of His presence (Luke 10:21; Gal. 5:22; 1 Thes. 1:6). It's not linked with material possessions but rather is an overflow of salvation (Acts 8:8; 16:34).
Even persecution could not dampen the joy that glowed in early Christians, for their joy wasn't dependent on external circumstances (Acts 13:52; 2 Cor. 7:4; James 1:2). Peter even said that “in this [salvation] you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed”
It's true that even pagans can know joy, as they find it in the good things that God's given to all human beings so liberally. But we know a heightened joy; a joy that's rooted in the bond that exists between us & the Lord, & the bond that exists with other believers whom we've come to love. (Rom. 16:19; Phil. 1:4, 25–26; 2:2, 29; 4:1; Heb. 13:17; 1 John 1:4). The deeper our relationship with Jesus & with His people, the greater the joy that awaits us, & the less that joy is dependent on external circumstances.
The teacher’s commentary
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