Philippians 3:1

To be sure, joy is the golden thread that runs throughout the Book of Philippians. Paul places a repeated emphasis on this predominate theme, masterfully aiming this Truth at the hearts of the believers at Philippi. His desire is to encourage and exhort them to look up for their joy and to embrace what is rightfully theirs in Christ. True and lasting joy is not found in circumstances, people, places or things rather it is found in the Lord Jesus. It is evident that the apostle thought they needed to be reminded of this given. Indeed, it does all believers good to be reminded of the joy of the Lord. Nehemiah’s words come to mind:

“Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Neh 8:10 (NIV)

Happiness is circumstantial and fleeting. Many people confuse this with joy. Joy goes much further still - beyond mere human feelings of exuberance or fleeting delight and can amazingly be found in the midst of pain, suffering and affliction. The key to understanding this Truth is happiness is temporary and joy, absolute – it is a fruit of the Spirit the second listed right after love. By the Spirit’s power the believer can manifest the nine graces listed – indeed we are called to manifest these graces through His enabling. It is important to emphasize that the fruit described is not produced by human effort but by the Spirit working in the believer who is in union with the Lord Jesus. It is the life of Christ fleshed out in a Christian. Paul lists this precious fruit in Galatians:

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Gal 5:22-23 (NIV)

Indeed, Paul writes these words while chained to a prison guard. His circumstances were anything but worldly pleasurable. Our joy is made possible through our hope in God – Who is our certainty. If we are centered in His will we can be rest assured it is the best place for us. He is our Surety. He never changes and He is ever faithful to His Word. He loves us with an everlasting love and always has our best interest at heart. He is reliable. He is constant. We can trust Him even when the circumstances of our lives seem bleak. Circumstances are continuously varying – we can be high on a mountaintop one day (or minute) and deep in the valley the next. Joy is the deep abiding inner rejoicing promised by Jesus to those who abide in Him:

9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 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. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” John 15:9-11 (NIV)

“When happenings happen to happen happily, you have happiness; when happenings happen to happen unhappily, you have unhappiness; happiness, then, is merely circumstantial happenness. But joy is independent of circumstances.” J. Sidlow Baxter

Paul tells us in Romans our joy is tied to our hope. Joy relates to the delight of anticipation in seeing one’s hopes fulfilled. Our hope is tied to our faith in Him – not in ourselves or our circumstances. Peace results from the assurance that God will fulfill all that He has promised:

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 (NIV)

I love the encouraging words Joshua spoke to the Israelites regarding the promises of our God Who never changes:

14 “Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the LORD your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed.” Josh 23:14 (NIV)

When we get our eyes off of God and on to the happenings of our lives we begin to question and grumble and complain (ugh!). We wonder if He really cares about us. It is such a joy sucker to discover ourselves with such poor focus. We become distant from Him and develop grudges, preventing ourselves from even trusting Him. Bitterness begins to seep into our souls. We must choose to look at God through the love colored lens of His Word, claiming His promises, seeking His direction and transforming our minds. Paul tells us in Romans His plan for us is pleasing and perfect. Remember too, this is not our home – heaven is. We are merely traveling through. Yet it matters very much how we live now – not as unwise but as wise. Eternal matters are at stake.

“The created world is but a small parenthesis in eternity.” Thomas Browne

1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)