In a world so broken, pictured so well in the book of Ecclesiastes, where is Joy found? We have a brain that can reason, feel emotions, and desires. Yet we live in a world where no lasting joy can be found by our own futile attempts. Made with all this ability to feel and think. Made in the image of God. Our capacity to love comes from His perfect love. Love existing eternally between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Thus, the triune God said, “Let us make man in our image.” Endowed with the ability to reason, to choose, and to feel, we are keenly aware in this broken world that something is missing. Joy is found only when we realize that we are incomplete until restored fully with our creator.
Distractions abounding around us, how can it be our joy is found in Christ Alone? We search after everything else to fulfill. Money, position, love, things, family and philanthropic adventures never fill us. Despair abides still. Paul said all these things were like dung (manure) compared to knowing Jesus Christ. Why?
The Conclusion of Ecclesiastes?
Solomon had it all-Fame, wealth, human wisdom, and a list of accomplishment beyond other men. Yet, nothing brought him joy. It was all like a vapor of smoke, an illusion. Thus, he concluded that the only thing that matters is to “Fear God (with a reverent loving fear) and follow His commandments. Therein Joy is found. A joy that supersedes all our trials and difficulties. Joy is found with overflowing peace regardless of the circumstances only in Christ Alone. He can satisfy all the needs of our heart, heal all the broken places, and give us strength to stand against every evil dart that comes our way.
Jesus Christ Alone Surpasses Everything
3 1Finally, my brothers and sisters,[a] rejoice in the Lord! To write this again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.2 Beware of the dogs,[b] beware of the evil workers, beware of those who mutilate the flesh![c] 3 For we are the circumcision,[d] the ones who worship by the Spirit of God,[e] exult in Christ Jesus, and do not rely on human credentials[f] 4 —though mine too are significant.[g] If someone thinks he has good reasons to put confidence in human credentials,[h] I have more: Philippians 3:1-4 (NET)
So, why did Paul say we are the circumcision? Not all of us are Jews. Yet, we are those who have had our hearts circumcised for the name of God through accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. He has bought us with a price. Outward circumcision means nothing, unless ones heart is circumcised. God said, “ 16 Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be stiff-necked[b] no longer. 17 For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe.” Deuteronomy 10: 17 (NKJV)
To Count All Human Accomplishments as Nothing
Paul was a Pharisee of the Pharisees. His credentials were high but meant nothing. If anything, they were a liability that caused him to persecute the Christians until one day he met Jesus Christ. That day he lost his prestigious position, his political power, and threw aside his worldly lustrous position to suffer pain, persecution, and great trials. Yet, he discovered that joy, true joy is found in Christ alone.
Joy is Found in Loss
How can it be that Joy is found in Loss? It certainly is not what we would normally think of? Listen to how Paul describes it.
7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain[b] to the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:3-11 (NKJV).
Whatever we must lose here on this earth is nothing compared with knowing Jesus Christ, for Christ alone can fill the empty longing within our heart. We all long for eternity. That longing did not come by chance—it came because we were created for eternity. Death is a result of sin; but our souls live on into eternity. We will live in eternity spiritually alive in Christ alone or eternally continue in spiritual death separated from God Himself. That is according to your choice here. Afterall if you want nothing to do with Jesus here, God will respect that wish throughout eternity. He gives you freedom to choose.
Joy Is Found in Suffering.
Suffering? Joy? The two do not sound as if they go together. Read verses 9-11 again.
To “be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain[b] to the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:9-11 (NKJV).
Often, I hear veterans say it is their honor to have served defending freedom, even when they have lost so much. Many have scars that run deep. Limbs that don’t work and chronic pain. Yet, because they love this country and the concepts of freedom on which our constitution stands, they would do it all again.
And What About Us?
How much more should we as Christians be willing to suffer loss here on earth because of love and gratitude to the one who gave all to give us life. He took all the penalty of my sin on His shoulders. The older I get, the more I recognized how much He bore for me.
Therefore, Paul continues to say that he would rather choose to know and gain Christ than anything else. Even if that means sharing the suffering that Jesus endured. Having gained righteousness not his own. Rather the righteousness of Christ to cloak him forever because he believed in Jesus Christ alone for his salvation. Because of the sacrifice that Christ Alone faced for Paul, he was willing to suffer with Him. Thus to know Him and the power of His resurrection to life eternal. To be alive spiritually forever in the presence of his joy.
Pressing toward the mark
12 Not that I have already attained,[c] or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have [d]apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already [e]attained, let us walk by the same [f]rule, let us be of the same mind.
I don’t know about you, but I am not yet perfected. My righteous would be like filthy rags were it not for Jesus Christ cloaking me in His righteousness. One day when I stand before Him, I will look like Him. Until that day, I must learn to surrender my petty wishes and desires. Thereby allowing the Holy Spirit to transform my heart daily. Whatever it takes let me look to Him for my only hope. For in Christ alone my joy is found.
Let Us Also Press to the mark where Joy is Found in Christ alone
17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. 18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things. 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. Philippians 3:17-21
Amen and let my praises be to Christ Alone where Joy is found eternally in His presence.
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.
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©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.
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New English Translation (NET)
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New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.