Philippians 4:4

“Rejoice in the Lord always: again. will say, Rejoice”

“Rejoice in the Lord always”: “Always be glad in the Lord” (Wey). “Be happy in the Lord always” (Beck). "Keep on rejoicing" (Jackson p. 79). True and legitimate joy is only found in. relationship with Jesus Christ. The joy of the Christian is not rooted in fleeting circumstances. The world must depend upon external things to bring them joy and unsaved people depend upon artificial means to produce happiness (Ephesians 5:18; Hebrews 11:25). The joy of the Christian is real, deep, strong, and enduring. It is not like the fleeting, shallow joy that the world offers. Paul was in prison, facing an uncertain verdict, separated from dear friends, helpless to stop false teachers in other places (Philippians 3:2). In addition, he found himself unsupported and let down by some who professed to be Christians (Philippians 4:2; Philippians 1:15). Yet all of these negative circumstances could not remove from him the joy he found in being. Christian. Christians can always find something very real in which to presently rejoice (1 Thessalonians 5:16).

“It is. simple fact of human experience that. man living in the lap of luxury can be wretched.. man upon whom life has apparently inflicted no blows at all can be gloomily or peevishly discontented” (Barclay pp. 71-72).

Often people attack the writings of Paul. We need to seriously confront such people and demand that they demonstrate to us an equivalent level of happiness and contentment with Paul's before we will take them seriously. Why should. listen to someone trash the writings of Paul, who obviously experiences very little of the joy, contentment and happiness that Paul experienced, in situations even more difficult that our critic friend has ever faced?

“Again. will say rejoice”: “And. will say it. second time (for emphasis)” (Bruce p. 141). It is as if Paul feels that he cannot stress this enough. To count your blessings, to be grateful and always realize how much God has done for you, and despite adverse circumstances, to always remember what. glorious future awaits you and how fortunate you are to be. Christian--this can never be stressed enough. Erdman reminds us, “If. person is not rejoicing, it is because he is not appropriating to his personal needs all the available riches of grace in Christ Jesus. One cause of joylessness is the memory of past failures and faults. We are slow to believe in divine forgiveness, or to expect victory where once we have been overcome. Others are continually inclined to take dark views of life; their humor is seldom cheerful. They are almost proud that they are pessimists. All should endeavor to cultivate the fine art of good cheer” (pp. 137-138). All of this tells us, that if we are unhappy, then it is our own choosing.