ALWAYS BE FULL OF JOY
Phil. 4:4-5 Always be full of joy in the Lord, I say it
again--rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember,
the Lord is coming soon. NLT
ALWAYS be full of joy
in the Lord??? Sounds like something
that is impossible to do, doesn’t it? We
have occasions when we are joyful, but always?
I don’t know of anyone who can honestly say that they are always
joyful. But, wait a minute. Is that what Paul is saying here? Reread his admonition. He says to always be full of joy, not to
always be joyful. There is a difference.
To be full of joy
means that we are always mindful of our salvation, that we always appreciate
what the Lord has done for us. We lose
our joy when we lose our sense of what Jesus has done for us. It means that we are aware that our sins are
forgiven and forgotten by God for all of eternity.
To be full of joy
means that we don’t take for granted God’s mercies and grace. It means we are staying in fellowship with
the Lord and not letting worldly influences rob us of fellowship with Him. It means we value highly the life we have in
Christ and sights are set on heavenly things.
No one who is Christ-centered and Christ-focused will be anything but
full of joy.
Sure, there are times
in which we won’t feel joyful, but that doesn’t change a thing. Emotions come and go depending on
circumstances, but circumstances should never determine our gratitude and
focus. We must choose to be appreciative
when things are going bad.
An attitude of
gratitude is contagious. Others will
notice in us something that is different and wonderful when we are
Christ-focused. Our lives will be
witnesses for Him because very few people have such an attitude in life. Jesus is coming soon. Let us redeem the time while we have it and
let others see Christ in us. Let the
world see our joy for our salvation regardless of the circumstances we are in.
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