CreatorWorship

“I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.” (Phillipians 2:18) and “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.” (Phillipians 3:1) Okay, Paul, I hear you but what is the big deal here? You said it twice, pleading, commanding, and “safeguard”, really?

When I looked at the context of the two verses I realized why he is so adamant. “So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.Do all things without grumbling or disputing;  so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world,  holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain. But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you.” (2:12-17) and “Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision;  for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh” (3:2-3). Paul is alerting the believers to get serious and rejoice. You take part in God’s work to sanctify you and here are some major hindrances to progress: voicing a bad attitude, contrary generation, trials, false teachers, legalists, and the flesh. Rejoicing is a safeguard because the listed hindrances to sanctification are beaten back by the rejoicing in the things of God based on an act of faith. Bad attitudes and the flesh, and every person contrary to the truth cannot defeat the act of worship of rejoicing. Begin to rejoice even if you don’t feel like it; even if you are struggling to see it; even if the circumstances say otherwise. Your faith will expand, others will be drawn in, and God will be glorified.

“Feasting on the riches of His grace, resting ‘neath His shelt’ring wing; always looking on His smiling face- that is why I shout and sing!” goes the old hymn. Dwell on Him; trust in Him; cling to Him; rejoice in Him.