Joy can be described as a state of happiness or well being due to success and victory in ones life, or a source or cause of delight. To experience joy is a desired outcome that God has established for our lives. In the book of Philippians the word rejoice or joy is mentioned many times in scripture. In Philippians 4:4, Paul said I will rejoice in the Lord always. You see Paul understood the necessity of his joy in overcoming persecutions and afflictions in his life. He also understood that Christ was magnified in rejoicing. Without real joy in our lives there can be no overcoming or victory or exalting of Christ. In Philippians chapter 1, he recognized that he could give it all up and experience joy in heaven, but he also recognized that real joy must be manifested in the natural realm, before he could experience it in the spiritual realm. He traded his old life of misery for the new life of joy, because the Apostle Paul recognized that he was to suffer all things for the elect sake that they might experience a furtherance of faith and joy. When we are going through various trials in our lives whether through people or circumstances, joy is necessary to win souls and finish our course in Christ. At that point we can be like Paul and say I fought a good fight, finished my course, and I have kept the faith.
No comments:
Post a Comment