Philippians 4 – Joy in all Circumstances
The last chapter of Philippians contains one of my favourite passages in the bible. Philippians 4 v4 “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again rejoice!”
Note it does not say rejoice always, but rejoice in the Lord always.
Knowing Jesus turns every situation into joy whether its
- beginnings or endings,
- birth or death,
- good events or bad,
- suffering or times of peace.
Jesus turns every occasion into a time of joy. His presence in our lives converts every situation into one with joy.
St Paul when he wrote these words was in prison. Not a place to be all that positive. Not an experience you would get excited about. Yet he can say these amazing words, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say rejoice”, because he knew from his own experience of Jesus that he gives this joy.
E Stanley Jones – the great missionary to India in the 1920’s – said “When I met Jesus Christ, I felt like I had swallowed sunshine.” I think there could not be a more vivid description of joy and Jesus.
William Barclay when speaking of the Christian life said, ”The Christian is a person of joy. Joy is the surest sign of the presence of God.”
It’s not only people from the past who speak like this. Pr Hans Peethala the former pastor at Belconnen and Liverpool said to me on one occasion, “If there is no joy, it’s probably not of God.”
You can see then that joy and Jesus go together. Where one is, the other one is sure to be.
So why then do so much of our lives not reflect this joy?
Because we are focused on other things. Our personal goals which are earthbound. Our achievements for this life, and what the world says is important. Maybe we just watch too many advertisements. Watch a few and they are sure to make you discontent and think how hard done by you are. That is their aim, so that you buy the product. The advertisements try to sell you a positive experience of happiness along with the product.
Joy of course is more than a good time, or a lot of laughter, it’s a deep feeling of happiness along with contentment. It’s the feeling that this is how life was meant to be.
For the Christian that joy goes with them in every circumstance, because joy is the byproduct of following and knowing Jesus. He is the one who forgives, restores, heals and reconciles us to God the Father and also each other. Jesus reestablishes us in right relationship with everyone and everything. With God, with humans, and with the creation.
So focus closely on Jesus and may the joy he gives, fill the lives of our churches, our ministries and our personal lives.
Pastor Robert Bartholomaeus
Bishop NSW and ACT District
This article was originally published in the March edition of Contact, a magazine of the NSW–ACT District.
