Rejoicing in Christ

KEY VERSE: “Rejoice in the LORD alway, and again I say, Rejoice.” —Philippians 4:4

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: Philippians 4:4-19

PAUL’S epistle from prison in Rome is, we discover, one of the most affectionate of the apostle’s letters. It is friendly and filled with words of approval and commendation to the brethren at Philippi; and, while they were not reproved, the Philippians were exhorted against pride and against accepting false leadership. They were instructed to develop the qualities of joy, contentment, and holiness.

In verse two we are introduced to two sisters of the ecclesia who were not fellowshipping in harmony. The position of women in Greece and Macedonia was exceptional for those days. In the Early Church of that area there were prominent women held in high esteem, such as Lydia. Euodias and Syntyche had their differences, and the apostle knew that differences in individuals could hinder growth and spiritual development and could lead to trouble in the church; so he beseeches both of them. Evidently both were somewhat in the wrong. That would be natural, wouldn’t it? It is generally the same today. Wrong on both sides is a common thing when differences exist. At any rate Paul exhorts, “Be of the same mind in the Lord.”

What could differences between two sisters, more than 1,900 years ago, mean to us? It may be well to note the apostle’s exhortation carefully. Certainly there is inspired wisdom in his words, from which we all may learn a lesson. The apostle did not exhort them to be of the same mind in everything. No doubt he knew of their differences in temperament, disposition, background, and education which would make it physically impossible to see eye to eye in all things. But he did want them to have unity of heart in the Lord, to be at peace with each other, showing that they were both children of God and thus able to manifest the Spirit of the Lord, each overlooking the shortcomings of the other. So, in personal matters and in hurt feelings, let us also follow the apostle’s exhortation.

The apostle uses the word ‘yokefellows’ to express what real Christian unity should be. We should pull together toward our common goal. Only as we work together can we experience the rejoicing Paul so much desired for each one.

This thought of being a rejoicing Christian is one of the golden themes of this epistle. Of course we know that human circumstances do not always call for rejoicing. One’s finances may be low. One’s health may be in poor condition. Those whom we love may be desperately sick. But verse four says, “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.” This means rejoice in the Lord in spite of these things; and that requires peace with God and peace with our brethren.

The Master said, “Your joy no man taketh from you.” (John 16:22) And he also said that he has given us the truth that our “joy might be full.” (John 15:11) And the Apostle James adds, “Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations.” (James 1:2) Why? We know that the Lord directs our providences, and all the experiences he permits to come into our lives are necessary for our Christian development. Each experience contains a lesson for us.

As Christians we know that all things which he permits are for the purpose of developing in us the fruit of the Spirit, and that the sum total of all that he permits will result in ultimate blessing—if not in this life, then in that which is to come. This is why we rejoice in the Lord and in his providences.

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