Paul the apostle knew that
he was paying a price for sharing the gospel as he sat in prison,
however, it was his joy and rejoicing that the church members in
Philippi benefited because he sacrificed and served for their faith.
In chapter two and verse eighteen of the letter to the Philippians,
Paul desires that they have joy and rejoice with him. He wrote:
For the same cause also
do you joy, and rejoice with me.
The
verse begins, “For the same cause also do you joy,...”
Although Paul knew “joy”
within himself because of the faith of the Philippians, he desired
that they “joy” or
“rejoice, be glad, rejoice exceedingly, be well, and thrive”
as well. Though Paul was in prison and it may seem contrary to normal
behavior to have “joy”, still Paul desired that they be
glad over the reason for his imprisonment.
The
verse continues, “...and rejoice with me.” As
though one bidding to have “joy”
wasn't enough, Paul adds that he desires the church members “rejoice”
with him. The word rejoice is “take part in another's joy,
to rejoice together, or to congratulate”. The idea is that Paul
told them how he had “joy” within himself over their
faith, and his desire was for them to celebrate with him as well.
How often do we have “joy”
within ourselves because of the faith of another person? Do we desire
that they “rejoice” with us over their salvation and trust
in Jesus Christ? Perhaps there are people within our lives who bring
us great joy, and perhaps there are not, but as we read Paul's
continual use of the word “joy” with the Philippians,
maybe we too will be inspired. As we consider this verse, maybe it
would help us if we took a “joy” test, and when we
discover what makes us rejoice, may the Lord Jesus inspire us to have
others “joy” and “rejoice” with us as we see
them enjoying the gospel.
Next
time Paul tells the Philippians about sending Timothy to them, so
read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow...there is more...
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be
Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the
Mount” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ;
www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
No comments:
Post a Comment