Life has its ups and downs. Circumstances can cause us to be happy or sad. Ups and downs of life and even the circumstances around us may determine if we are happy or sad, but those events can never remove our joy. The word “happy” comes from the idea of “happenstance” which means that circumstances determine if we feel happy or sad. Joy on the other hand is a deep satisfaction in our hearts that is not controlled by our circumstances.
The book of Philippians tells us how to have great joy even when circumstances are bad. Paul had been arrested in Jerusalem because the Jews hated him. The Roman rulers felt obligated to please the Jews, so they kept Paul in prison two years in Caesarea even though every ruler stated that Paul had done nothing worthy of imprisonment or death.
When Paul finally decided that he was not going to be set free, and because he was a Roman citizen, he appealed to Caesar and thus was shipped by the Roman government to Rome to be tried by the emperor. But even there he was under house arrest two full years before he was set free.
With all the mistreatment he had gone through, he still maintained an attitude of joy. By studying the book of Philippians, we can learn how he maintained his joy.
First, he had joy because he had fellowship with God. In chapter two verses one and two he mentioned several blessings because he was “in Christ.” There were the blessings of (1) Encouragement, (2) Consolation of love, (3) Fellowship with the Spirit, (4) Affection and (5) Compassion. Every person craves those blessings because they provide joy to one’s life! Paul entered into fellowship with God when he was baptized into Christ (Romans 6:3-4; Acts 22:16). When we enter Christ, we will also begin our walk of fellowship with God. We should be like Paul in that he desired fellowship with God so much that he wanted to “know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death” (Philippians 3:10).
Second, he had joy because he was where unity is found. We live in a very divided society. Think of the divisions that are being manifested in the wars that are being fought each day. Think of the great political division we have in our country. But, in Christ we have unity. He wrote to that church which had division growing in it and said, “Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirits, intent on one purpose” (2:2). The only place in this divided world where we can find fellowship and be of like-mind, is in the church which is Christ’s spiritual body on earth. “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:27-28).
Third, he had joy because he put others above himself. The most miserable people on earth are those who think the whole world, and all their associates, are there for their own benefit. Joy really is found in serving others, not being served. By inspiration Paul said, “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves, do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others” (2:3-4).
Fourth, he had joy because he realized that his citizenship was in heaven. Paul was a Jew, so he had that earthly citizenship. He also was privileged to have Roman citizenship, which gave him several special blessings that many others did not have. But neither his Jewish nor his Roman citizenship brought the greatest joy. He realized he was just passing through these earthly citizenships as an alien. There were better benefits coming to him because his citizenship was in heaven. May we say with Paul, “Our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform the body of our human state into conformity with the body of His glory” (Philippians 3:20-21). He was torn between his desire to go be with the Lord and staying on earth for the benefit of others. He wrote, “I am hard pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake” (Philippians 1:23-24).
You may or may not be happy with who is leading the state and nation where you have your citizenship. That really doesn’t have to be a determining factor in your happiness. For Christians, this is not our home anyway. We are only here temporarily. If we keep our eye on our eternal citizenship, we can have joy and endure any kind of circumstance.
Fifth, he had joy because he had learned to be content. As he closed out this book, he thanked them for the money they had sent. With that “thank you” he said, “Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (4:11-13). Notice that Paul had to learn how to be content. We have to learn to be positive in any bad circumstance we find ourselves.
Sixth, he had joy because he had an active prayer life. As he began the book he said, “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all” (1:3-4). Who has been part of your life to such a degree that in your every remembrance of them you pray with joy for them? For most of us, there are many people who have made us what we are. If we pray for them, it will be a prayer that brings joy. He exhorted them, and us, “Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (4:6-7).
Seventh, he had joy because he was appreciative for what others had done for him. It is so easy to fall into the trap of thinking what we have is because of what we have done. What we have is not due to our own effort. We have it because God and others have blessed us. The church at Philippi had sent him money which enable him to meet his needs. About 50 or 51 A.D. they had supported him as he began his ministry in that part of the world (1:3-5). Again in 62 A.D. they met his financial needs. As he closed this letter to them he said, “But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction. You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone, for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God” (4:10, 14-18).
He was especially thankful for the financial support they had given him. There may be people you and I need to remember because of the financial help they have given us. But, more than likely, there are many others who have helped us in other ways. We will have joy in being appreciative for all that others have contributed to making us the person we are.
Conclusion
In a world filled with lots of heartache, we ought to learn to have joy by the truths we learn from the book of Philippians. May our lives express the joy in our hearts so that others will want what we have. Then we can teach them how to get into Christ where this joy is found and their lives will be changed, no matter in what kind of circumstance they live!
Wayne Burger