Rejoice in the Lord Always
People don’t like to be told what to do, much less what to think. Paul tells the Philippian Christians to rejoice – twice in one verse. Don’t be anxious. Think good thoughts.
The modern world thinks such an attitude toward joy is silly and shallow. Bobby McFerrin sang, “Don’t worry, be happy,” and everyone laughed. In Monty Python’s Life of Brian, Eric Idle sang, “Always look on the bright side of life” from the cross and everyone understood the joke.
Telling people to be joyful is easy to say, the world thinks, but it isn’t realistic. If those Christians had any idea how hard and painful life really is, they wouldn’t be telling people to rejoice and give thanks to God in everything.
Perhaps I should introduce the people who make this criticism to the Apostle Paul who wrote the Epistle to Philippians from prison – probably in Rome, but possibly elsewhere.
I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. (Philippians 1:12-14)
In fact, the entire letter is a response to Paul’s imprisonment. Paul believes himself to be at risk of death.
My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all boldness, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For me, living is Christ and dying is gain. (Philippians 1:20-21)
Paul is in a difficult situation. The letter contains his personal and theological reflections on his imprisonment. Paul was, in fact, likely set free from his captivity on this occasion, only to be rearrested and executed in Rome some time later during the reign of Nero.
How to Stand Firm
Chapter 4 begins, “Therefore stand firm” (Philippians 4:1). Paul wants the Philippians to stand firm in their faith even if they face trials as severe as those Paul himself faces. Paul’s command to rejoice and give thanks is only one part of a package that serves this purpose. Other parts of the package include:
- Draw inspiration from others
- Put things in an eternal perspective
- Live a virtuous life
Draw Inspiration from Others
Paul said, “What you have learned from me and seen in me, put into practice” (Philippians 4:9). This is the most basic form of leadership. When the infantry leader says, “Follow me,” he’s giving better directions than volumes of written orders can convey.
There is great power in the example of those around us. Most Methodists know the story of John Wesley’s sailing to Savannah in 1735. During the crossing, a storm threatened to destroy the ship. While the English – including Wesley – panicked, a group of Moravian Christians calmly prayed and sang hymns. The Moravians’ example motivated John to reexamine his own faith. Where did these Moravians get the ability to praise God in the midst of a storm?
Paul tells the Philippians to rejoice? How does Paul model joy for the Philippians, and how have Christians in similar situations demonstrated a joyful spirit? This kind of joy looks like steadiness, not giddiness. It looks like confidence, not silliness.
Put Things in an Eternal Perspective
“The Lord is near,” Paul says in Philippians 4:5. Paul is referring to Christ’s appearing at the end of the age, here, and not to a sense of emotional closeness.
Paul anchors his letter in the death and resurrection of Jesus. The theological heart of the letter is Philippians 2:5-11:
Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be used for His own advantage. Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave, taking on the likeness of men. And when He had come as a man in His external form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death–even to death on a cross. For this reason God also highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow–of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth– and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Christ’s appearing plays a significant role in Paul’s theology. If Jesus’ resurrection is the “first fruits” of the age to come, his appearing is the final harvest (1 Corinthians 15:20-26). Paul concludes chapter 3 of this letter with:
Our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of His glorious body, by the power that enables Him to subject everything to Himself. (Philippians 3:20-21)
The smell of turkey cooking on Thanksgiving promises a delicious feast to come. You can taste the juicy, tender white meat in your head even before you sit down at the table. In the same way, the coming of God’s kingdom in power was so real to Paul that he could smell it and taste it, even as he waited for its arrival. Paul was able to rejoice and give thanks in this hope. For him, the hope was as real as anything else that existed in this world.
It’s interesting to me that the hymn “Come Ye Thankful People Come” that we sing at this time of year captures this relationship between Thanksgiving and our Christian hope for the transformation of the world:
For the Lord our God shall come, and shall take the harvest home; from the field shall in that day all offenses purge away, giving angels charge at last in the fire the tares to cast; but the fruitful ears to store in the garner evermore.
Even so, Lord, quickly come, bring thy final harvest home; gather thou thy people in, free from sorrow, free from sin, there, forever purified, in thy presence to abide; come, with all thine angels, come, raise the glorious harvest home.
Live a Virtuous Life
This is a rather strange admonition. The virtues Paul mentions are common Greek & Roman virtues.
“Let your epiekes be evident to all,” Paul writes in Philippians 4:5. Epiekes is common word in classical Greek meaning reasonable, fair, fitting, decent, moderate, calm, or self-controlled. It is the characteristic of a noble or well-admired person.
In Philippians 4:8, Paul tells the Philippian Christians to think about six virtues.
- True. Christians should be the most courageous people in the world in facing the truth. We should embrace it, not hide from it. The truth is that Paul was in prison and his life was in danger, but that was not the only truth. The death, resurrection and coming return of Jesus were also among the truths to be contemplated.
- Honorable / Worthy of Praise. Honor was a core value in the ancient world. The meaning of this world would have been self-evident to its original audience. In some ways, Christians redefined honor. It is an honor to serve another person. It is an honor to suffer in the service of what is right. These ideas would have been counterintuitive in the ancient world, but these are the values that God called the church to make real. What is honorable in the sight of God? The so-called postmodern culture has largely abandoned the concept of honor. It glories, at times, in things that are shameful and sometimes embraces the dark, twisted parts of our human condition. Paul clearly believed that some things in this world were worthy of honor, even if that honor was less than that bestowed on God.
- Just / Right / Proper. What, then is right with this world, and what can make it more right? These are things that are just, right and proper.
- Pure. When Paul uses this world elsewhere, he is usually implying sexual purity. Again, this is a matter in which the postmodern world has no interest. Sexual purity, however, certainly was an important matter for the early church. In Acts 15, the council of Jerusalem imposed very few expectations on Gentile converts: don’t commit idolatry, don’t eat food killed in a manner that would break table fellowship with Jewish believers, and don’t commit sexual immorality.
- Lovely / Pleasing / Beautiful / Attractive. The word is prosphiles, something that moves one to loving appreciation. This is the only place in the New Testament that Paul uses the word. Despite the fallen nature of the world - despite Paul’s imprisonment - despite the danger - despite the pervasive power of sin and death, there are still things (and people) in this world that are good. It is proper to appreciate them for the good things they are.
- Respected / Admirable / Well Spoken Of / Of Good Reputation. The word is euphemos, which might be literally translated “good fame.” This is another word that Paul uses only once. As it did for honor, the Christian church redefined “fame.” God’s opinion of one’s life and deeds matters more than society’s opinion. Nevertheless, things such as beauty, courage, insight, integrity, excellence and a host of other qualities rightfully draw the admiration of Christian and non-Christian alike.
Why does Paul direct the Philippian Christians to think about these virtuous qualities? Let me suggest two reasons:
- To transform your character
- To celebrate God’s good creation
Transform Your Character
Paul and the early church expected real change to occur in the life of Christians. They expected to see a transformed life develop in the life of believers. Traditionally, we have called this transformation “holiness.” That’s a good Biblical word, but it’s not without its problems as we try to communicate to people in the 21st century. Let me suggest another word: maturity. How do you develop that maturity that you will need to stand firm in the face of life’s challenges?
When new Christians attempt to “clean up their act” and leave their old lives behind, what do they have to do? It’s one thing to tell people to change; it’s another thing to effect change. If all we tell Christians is “don’t,” we haven’t helped them very much. Nature abhors a vacuum, and so does a mind. Jesus recognized that it wasn’t enough to cast out evil spirits; something new is required in their place.
“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.” (Matthew 12:43-45)
You’ve got to fill your mind with something. It doesn’t help much to say, “Don’t be anxious. Don’t worry. Don’t think bad thoughts.” Paul directs the Philippian Christians not only to turn their back on negative attitudes and behaviors, but to actively fill their lives with wholesome things. As they immerse themselves in that which is pure, honorable, just, pure, admirable and respected, the Philippian Christians will find their character transformed and they will develop the maturity they need to stand firm.
Celebrating God’s Good Creation
We’re talking about virtues: truth, honor, justice, purity, beauty, fame. The word “virtue” means “value,” and these are things that the ancient world valued. As I mentioned, the meaning of these words would have been self-evident to those who originally heard them. They were common words in the culture. The Christian faith, however, redefined these virtues - these values - in accordance with the truth of the gospel. For example:
- Christ is truth
- His self-less service and sacrificial death are honorable and pleasing,
- Obedience to his commands makes the world more just
- Living a life of faith brings makes one well-thought-of in the eyes of Christ (which is all that really matters) and perhaps his church (it’s always good to have people who think highly of you).
Christian virtues sometimes turn the world’s virtues – and the world’s wisdom - upside down. In Philippians 4:7, Paul says, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension (nous = mind or reason), will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” God’s peace is incomprehensible to the world’s reason.
We can share some values with non-Christians, but know that the world will distort them. The worldly part of us will distort them, too. But rightly understood, the virtues that the world believes in – or it thinks it believes in – are part of the good creation of God. And in the end, when Christ returns, God will create a world built that is perfectly true, honorable, just, pure, appealing and properly appreciated.
Appreciating the things that are truly good in this world is healthy. It’s OK. Paul says to do it. Living a life consistent with these virtues – correctly understood – leads to Christian maturity. That maturity is a source of steadiness and calmness that undergirds a true Christian joy.
Even as Paul sat in prison, facing possible death from the people and powers of the Greco-Roman world, he recognized that there is some goodness in that world. Even pagans sometimes recognize virtue when they see it - goodness that has been twisted and corrupted, but goodness nonetheless.
Life is sometimes harsh, even for Christians. Christians do not pretend that life is not sometimes cruel. We can have true joy, however, that the world cannot understand as we:
- Draw inspiration from others
- Put things in an eternal perspective
- Live a virtuous life to develop a mature Christian character and an appreciation of God’s good creation
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