Michael continues that God’s
plan for redemption was for His Son to become a servant, humbly submitting Himself
as God’s perfect sacrifice for sin on our behalf. Because of sin, we were
found guilty before God the righteous judge. We were worthy of
condemnation unto death. However, Jesus Christ who was without sin, was made
the perfect sacrifice for sin on our behalf that we may be made the
righteousness of God in Him. Because of his sacrifice on our behalf, the
purpose of our life is that we may be to the praise of the glory of God’s
grace. Our joy is in the Lord, not in the things of earth. Joy is not the
absence of pain. Joy is the presence of the Lord.
There are five thieves in
Philippians that will steal our joy. In Philippians 1, one thief is “circumstances”.
The Apostle Paul’s circumstance was imprisonment. However, Paul determined to
live in “the Joy of the Lord”. He understood that regardless of circumstance,
he would rejoice in the furtherance of the gospel of Jesus Christ. When Paul
was imprisoned, they beat him and then said that they would release him. However,
Paul said, “I don’t want to be released,
I’d rather appeal to Cesar as a citizen of Rome.” Paul’s heart’s
desire was to preach to Cesar in the heart of the Roman Empire.
Jesus said, whatsoever you shall ask in prayer,
believing you shall receive. One of the things that Jesus was speaking of
is “Joy”. The joy of the Lord is available through the power of the Holy
Spirit. If we’re in circumstances that have stolen our joy, this is an
opportunity to repent. Repentance in terms of “real penitence”; sorrow or deep
contrition for sin, as an offense and dishonor to God, a violation of his holy
law, and the basest ingratitude towards a Being of infinite benevolence. This
is called evangelical repentance, and is accompanied and followed by amendment
of life. This opportunity is to turn from our focus on broken circumstances and
to turn our eyes upon Jesus ... looking
full in His wonderful face. Then the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of his glory and grace.
Galatians 5:22-25 “The
fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there
is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified
the flesh with its passions and desires.”
Joy is one element of the
fruit of the Spirit. Fruit is not the result of effort. Fruit grows
when we’re planted by the river of living water. Jesus Christ Himself is the
water of life. He is the vine and we are the branches. As we abide (live) in Him,
we will bear fruit. Where do you find your joy
and gladness? The Apostle Paul said, My
joy is that I’m a drink offering poured out upon the altar in praise and glory
to God. As Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Rejoice always, pray without
ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in
Christ Jesus for you.”
Your brother in Christ, Michael
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