Rejoice In The Lord (2)

"Rejoice in the Lord" (2) Philippians 3:1-7

1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.

2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh.

3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh—

4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more:

5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee;

6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.

7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.

Paul emphasizes that “rejoicing in the Lord” is so important that repeating this command is not a burden to him. In fact, he says it is a safeguard. I can relate to this in my own life—for example, I always remind my wife to be careful when she goes out. It’s not burdensome to repeat such advice because it is truly important. In the same way, Paul repeats the exhortation to rejoice in the Lord, not out of habit, but out of genuine concern. He knows how easily believers can lose their joy, and how dangerous that loss can be. Losing joy in the Lord can lead us away from a life of faith, gratitude, and spiritual strength. That’s why Paul insists on reminding the believers again and again: Rejoice in the Lord! So why is losing joy in the Lord so dangerous, and why is experiencing joy in the Lord so important?

First, it is because we are worshipers. What we rejoice in, delight in, and love the most reveals what we truly worship. When we rejoice in, delight in, love, and treasure God above all else and all others, we are making a confession as those who worship the living God.

Second, losing joy in the Lord is dangerous—and conversely, experiencing joy in the Lord is essential—because joy is a fitting characteristic of the people of heaven who are living in this world.

Romans 14:17 (ESV) says, “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” We testify of Christ through the joy of already possessing the kingdom of heaven here on earth.

If we are truly saved, our confession should echo that of the prophet Habakkuk:

“Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation” (Habakkuk 3:17–18, ESV). This should be the confession of our lives. It is not whether the fig tree bears fruit, whether grapes are on the vine, or whether cattle fill the stalls that determines our joy. Rather, it is the Lord—the God of our salvation—who determines our joy in life.

Third, as people with a mission, we must live with joy in order to fulfill that mission.

Nehemiah declared to the Israelites that rejoicing in the Lord is our strength:

“For the joy of the LORD is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10b, ESV).

The work of the Lord is accomplished most powerfully when His joy fills our hearts.

The Philippian church, though suffering severe affliction and extreme poverty, had overflowing joy—and this joy moved them to give generously to others. In my own life, when I have joy in the Lord, I find motivation, capability, and boldness to carry out ministry. But when I serve with a frown and complaints, I am no longer serving the Lord—I am serving myself.

That is why George Müller, known as the “father of orphans,” said, “The first great and primary business to which I ought to attend every day is to have my soul happy in the Lord.” This means that seeking the Lord, fellowshipping with Him, and having joy in Him is more important than ministry itself.

Ultimately, if we do not pursue and delight in joy in the Lord, we risk falling into idolatry. Instead of enjoying the life of heaven, we end up living like the world and fail to fulfill our calling as witnesses, becoming no more than breadwinners. Therefore, we must earnestly pursue joy in the Lord.

Then how can we live a life filled with joy in the Lord?