A Call to Joy

from Find Joy In All Things by Melissa B. Kruger

While shackled in chains, Paul rejoiced. What could have brought such joy to his heart while enduring terrible pain and unjust circumstances? Paul understood that his spiritual rescue could never be taken from him. When everything else was dark, his salvation brought him joy. 

‬I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1:3‭-‬11

The book of Philippians calls us to a life of joy. In salvation, God gives us a joy that rests on something more secure than anything on earth. Our joy rests in Jesus: His perfect life, His sacrificial death, His miraculous resurrection. 

Even though we’ve made mistakes and even though we continue to struggle with sin, if we are in Christ, nothing can separate us from God’s love. We have an eternal source of joy available to us. 

Jesus faithfully reminded His followers that the basis of their joy was not their ministry success but the fact that God had rescued and redeemed them. Salvation is the greatest gift we can ever receive. Our rescue is the source of abundant joy. This is the gospel or the “good news.” 

In the Greco-Roman world, the term gospel was often used by the emperor after a successful battle. He would send his envoy ahead of him, declaring the “good news” of victory. It led to rejoicing and celebration for all under the emperor’s reign. 

When Paul shared the gospel of God with the people of Philippi, he spoke as an envoy of a heavenly victory. This same good news has traveled two thousand years to reach you and me today. 

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3:20‭-‬21‬ ‭

The sin that entrapped us, that bound us fast, has been overcome. The judgment you and I rightly deserved has been pardoned! Christ’s death on the cross paid the penalty of our sin, and His resurrection assures our victory. Just as He was given a new body, so we will be given new bodies. As He now reigns at the Father’s side, so we will reign with Him. 

We have much to celebrate. No matter what happens in our lives, if we’re under the reign of Christ, victory is secured. We may face hardships, struggles, relational discord, physical illness, and other painful trials as we journey. But we will overcome in the end. All will be made right. One day we’ll be home with our King, fully at rest and secure for eternity. 

How does an eternal perspective change your view of your life today?