In a society which tends to focus on self-fulfillment, it might sound strange that humility and unity in Love could lead to Perfect Joy. We gain more by laying aside our own selfish desires and putting the needs of others before our selves. How could that be the way to perfection in Joy? Yet, that is precisely what Paul the apostle is saying to the church of Philippi. During a time in which Paul the Apostle was on house arrest, tethered with a chain 24 hours a day to a Roman Guard. His back was scarred from all the beatings. He had been stoned and left for dead. Shipwrecked. Most of us would be depressed and discouraged. Yet, here was Paul writing a letter to the Philippi announcing that joy is found in Jesus Christ.
Endowed with the same power of God, that raised Jesus from the dead, Paul encourages the people hold fast in love and unity of love. That requires the humility of Christ. Each believer holds the power to victory and perfection in Joy within their hearts because of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Sometimes though we get distracted. Being united in Spirit comes by all having one purpose. That purpose is to spread the gospel far and wide.
Perfect Joy through Humility and Unity in Love
Philippians 2 (NET) Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort provided by love, any fellowship in the Spirit,[a] any affection or mercy,[b] 2 complete my joy and be of the same mind,[c] by having the same love, being united in spirit,[d] and having one purpose. 3 Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition[e] or vanity, each of you should, in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself. 4 Each of you should be concerned[f] not only[g] about your own interests, but about the interests of others as well.[h] 5 You should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had,[i]
6 [j] who though he existed in the form of God[k]
did not regard equality with God
as something to be grasped,
7 but emptied himself
by taking on the form of a slave,[l]
by looking like other men,[m]
and by sharing in human nature.[n]
8 He humbled himself,
by becoming obedient to the point of death
—even death on a cross!
God’s Response
9 As a result God highly exalted him
and gave him the name
that is above every name,
10 so that at the name of Jesus
every knee will bow
—in heaven and on earth and under the earth—
11 and every tongue confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord
to the glory of God the Father.
Lights in the World—Perfect Joy
12 So then, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, continue working out your salvation with awe and reverence,[o] 13 for the one bringing forth in you both the desire and the effort—for the sake of his good pleasure—is God. 14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without blemish though you live in a crooked and perverse society, in which you shine as lights in the world[p] 16 by holding on to[q] the word of life so that on the day of Christ I will have a reason to boast that I did not run in vain nor labor in vain. 17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice together with all of you. 18 And in the same way you also should be glad and rejoice together with me.
When we consider all that Jesus did, should we not be of the same mind? Always placing Him first. For if we love Him sincerely, our hearts must be humbled, and we must be always about His work of spreading the gospel message far and wide. And He places fills our heart with perfect joy beyond anything we could imagine or hope for. All this world offers is counterfeit joy that leads ultimate to despair. Vanity of Vanity, all is vanity and vexation of spirit apart from His abiding perfect Joy. What a gracious privilege He has given us that He has called us the Children of God.
Perfect Joy in Him through humble Obedience
As He walked toward the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed to the Father, “these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.” John 17:13
Psalm 16:11
You lead me in[x] the path of life.[y]
I experience absolute joy in your presence;[z]
you always give me sheer delight.[aa]
Jesus tells us, “5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains[o] in me—and I in him—bears[p] much fruit,[q] because apart from me you can accomplish[r] nothing …. 9 “Just as the Father has loved me, I have also loved you; remain[ac] in my love. 10 If you obey[ad] my commandments, you will remain[ae] in my love, just as I have obeyed[af] my Father’s commandments and remain[ag] in his love. 11 I have told you these things[ah] so that my joy may be in you, and your joy may be complete.
And What is it that He commands of Us for Perfect Joy?
12 My commandment is this—to love one another just as I have loved you.[ai] 13 No one has greater love than this—that one lays down his life[aj] for his friends. 14 You are my friends[ak] if you do what I command you. 15 I no longer call you slaves,[al] because the slave does not understand[am] what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because I have revealed to you everything[an] I heard[ao] from my Father. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you[ap] and appointed you to go and bear[aq] fruit, fruit that remains,[ar] so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you. 17 This[as] I command you—to love one another.
His desire for us is to be overflowing in perfect joy, not based on our circumstances. Rather based on our relationship with Him that the Holy Spirit may fill us with His perfect Joy always. When we are filled with His Perfect Joy we will love others, desiring they come to know Him. All envy and strife disappears because we love as He loves. We do not enter in and participate in sin to show that love. Rather with gentleness and humility we shine forth the light of truth.
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
For Prayer or Comments
If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here
Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here
Poetry Books Available
If you enjoy poetry perhaps you would like to read more of my poetry in my newest book which can be found on Amazon
PREVIOUS
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Credits
New English Translation (NET)
NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.