Christians should be a joyous people who enjoy laughter and fellowship with each other.

Isn’t that first phrase a wonderful thing to say about other Christians? “I thank my God every time I remember you.” Paul lives a life of gratitude to God and to others. Can we say that we are thankful when we think about other people, or do we think more often about how people annoy or disappoint us?

Henry Ward Beecher: “The unthankful heart discovers no mercies; but the thankful heart will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings.”

James called other believers brothers and sisters in His epistle. Both James and Paul loved all believers and cared for them. The frequent repetition in this Epistle of "all" with "you," marks that Paul desires to declare his love for all alike and will not recognize any divisions among them.

“with joy”--the characteristic feature in this Epistle, (also Philippians 1:18, Philippians 2:2 Philippians 2:19 Philippians 2:28 , 3:1 , Philippians 4:11, Philippians 4:4). Joy is a fruit of the Spirit. Many scholars consider this the epistle or letter of Joy. Joy gives especial animation to prayers. It marked his high opinion of them, that there was almost everything in them to give him joy, and almost nothing to give him pain. Read the book’s four chapters and notice the consistent theme of joy.
Joy is a central aspect of Jesus' ministry.

Joy is a central aspect of Jesus' ministry.

In the New Testament, Paul emphasized the place that joy was to have in the lives of Christians. Although he used the general form of Greek letters at the time, he adapted them to suit his needs—in particular, he used joy as an important element, especially in the beginning and ending of his letters. Jesus never called us to be grumpy complainers.

The ancient Greek letters had an element in the greeting where the writer would elaborate on their relationship with the recipient, Paul adapted the form of the letter to include a “joy expression.”

Paul emphasized the connection between joy, prayer, and thankfulness. Prayer that focuses on God and others will result in joy and thankfulness. If we have a thankful heart, we will pray of others and experience joy.

Prayer still changes people's lives.

Joy is expected of Christians because it is the natural result of having received salvation. The joy comes because what Christ has done, irrelevant of whatever other circumstances are happening in one’s life. Happiness depends on circumstances and emotions.

Joy depends on our relationship with Christ. Certainty of salvation is a cause for joy, as the disciples are commanded to “rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20). Fellowship with Jesus brings continuous joy (John 15–17).

Joy can literally transform our lives.

There are so many ways to spread joy to others. One way to spread joy is through service.

We can also spread joy by honestly complimenting people.

C.S. Lewis blows our minds, as usual, with his insight on praising what we enjoy: "I think we delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment; it is its appointed consummation. It is not out of compliment that lovers keep on telling one another how beautiful they are; the delight is incomplete till it is expressed. It is frustrating to have discovered a new author and not to be able to tell anyone how good he is; to come suddenly, at the turn of the road, upon some mountain valley of unexpected grandeur and then to have to keep silent because the people with you care for it no more than for a tin can in the ditch; to hear a good joke and find no one to share it with. ... The Scotch catechism says that man's chief end is 'to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.' But we shall then know that these are the same thing. Fully to enjoy is to glorify. In commanding us to glorify Him, God is inviting us to enjoy Him."

Application

When you tell others what you appreciate about them or that you saw the good that they did, you build joy into their hearts and your own.

Call someone who is not feeling well and talk until you make them laugh.
Email or contact someone on Facebook. This also helps people feel less lonely.

Visit with someone who can no longer get out as much as they’d like or who lives alone.

Pick flowers from your garden and give them away.

Donate to and volunteer at the mission. Every month the church gives money to the mission, and church members donate and volunteer there.

Participate in Operational Christmas Child. We can bring joy to needy children around the world.

Attending the Bible studies and services at church brings people including me joy. Fellowship and worship are two joyful responsibilities that we have as Christians.

Volunteer as a greeter at Rollins-Brook hospital. The greeters are an encouragement to me when I visit patients.

PRAYER

Eternal God and Father, by whose power we are created and by whose love we are redeemed: guide and strengthen us by your Spirit, that we may give ourselves to your service, and live this day in love to one another and to you; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.