Love: A New Commandment - a Journey in PhilippiansSample

Serious about Joy

As a prisoner, Paul knew there was no guarantee that he would make it out alive. Prisons in those days were not a sentence. It was where you were kept while authorities decided what they wanted to do with you. What they usually did with people who were perceived as a threat to their rule, was to kill them. And most probably one of the reasons Paul writes this letter is that he wanted this congregation in Philippi to know what he was thinking about if he didn’t make it out alive.

And what was he thinking about? Two things: if he should die, he would be with Jesus. That would be by far the best for him. Not to die, but to be with Jesus. He makes it very clear later in the letter that the end goal he has in mind is the resurrection of the dead, not dying. And the second thing: if he keeps on living, he can help people grow in the joy that faith brings. Did you catch that? Faith in Jesus and joy really go together. Jesus said to His disciples that everything he told them was so that his joy could be in them and their joy might be full (John 15:11).

Many of us grew up in churches that left the opposite impression. Shake off that image of Jesus as a killjoy. It’s not the truth and it’s very dangerous for your health! The joy in faith is so real and strong that even in prison it shaped Paul’s thinking about his own life. This Jesus-shaped joy, like everything else that comes from Jesus, is born out of love. That is why Paul wants it for others as well. He wants their joy to grow. Because love doesn’t want something from people. Love wants something for people.

Reflection Question

Is joy growing in my life?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, set me free from images and impressions that separate my faith from the joy you share with me. Renew my thinking. Use me also to help others grow in faith and joy. Amen.