The Fruit of Joy
“Rejoice in the Lord always; … do not be anxious about anything, … And the peace of God, … will guard your hearts and your minds” (Php 4:4-7)
Rejoice? How can you say that in the face of Ebola and Marburg, increasing cases of iron-bar thugs, marriage breakdowns, rebellious children, suicides, and deadly abortions? Our Newspapers even recently have reported how youth are advocating for legalizing abortion, citing one out of three maternal deaths as caused by unsafe abortions. Some of these girls have become pregnant after defilement or rape; but I wonder if majority of cases are not just reckless sinners, and some are selling their bodies to get some material benefits. This host of offences also includes sexual pervasion, drug abuse, marital unfaithfulness, and murder.
From another report, although there is evidence of a decline in new infections over the last three years, we still have to cry over the fact that 570 girls aged between 15 and 24 are infected with HIV every week – too many girls in this age group in Uganda are dangerously sexually active, most especially those in Universities! In Kenya with a much bigger population, the number is only 468. The problem of immorality is bringing upon us far reaching effects that we must be concerned about. It is not right to exonerate all cases and claim that these girls are “always caught up in unavoidable circumstances” – young people must rise and put on self control daily. Christians must quit nominalism and live what the believe.
Paul’s abode had different challenges: he was in prison, in a foreign land, and his visitor Epaphroditus had been terribly sick; this visitor had brought him some relief from the Philippian Church and when those church members had of his sickness, they were sad and this stressed Paul and his visitors even the more.
Is it true that increasing poverty levels are responsible for transactional sex? Or are even well to do girls just reckless?
How can there be joy?
Paul was himself in prison; the man who carried the letter had been ill – near death – and the Philippians had heard about it and were distressed.
It was sent by Epaphroditus Phi_2:25, who appears to have been a resident at Philippi, and a member of the church there, to express the thanks of the apostle for the favors which they had conferred upon him, and to comfort them with the hope that he might be soon set at liberty. Epaphroditus had been sent by the Philippians to convey their benefactions to him in the time of his imprisonment; Phi_4:18. While at Rome, he had been taken ill; Phi_2:26-27. Upon his recovery, Paul deemed it proper that Epaphroditus should return to Philippi immediately.
At the mercy of such a man as Nero; a prisoner; among strangers, and with death staring him in the face, it is natural to suppose that there would be a special solemnity, tenderness, pathos, and ardor of affection, breathing through the entire Epistle. Such is the fact; and in none of the writings of Paul are these qualities more apparent than in this letter to the Philippians. He expresses his grateful remembrance of all their kindness; he evinces a tender regard for their welfare; and he pours forth the full-flowing language of gratitude, and utters a father’s feelings toward them by tender and kind admonitions. It is important to remember these circumstances in the interpretation of this Epistle. It breathes the language of a father, rather than the authority of an apostle; the entreaties of a tender friend, rather than the commands of one in authority. It expresses the affections of a man who felt that he might be near death, and who tenderly loved them; and it will be, to all ages, a model of affectionate counsel and advice.
There is enough in God to furnish us with matter of joy in the worst circumstance on earth. He had said it before (Phi_3:1): Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. Here he says it again, Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say Rejoice. Joy in God is a duty of great consequence in the Christian life; and Christians need to be again and again called to it. If good men have not a continual feast, it is their own fault.
Hinderances to joy:
- Anxiety, uncertainty, Sickness and ill health – personal v.6
There is a care of diligence which is our duty, and consists in a wise forecast and due concern; but there is a care of timidity, fear and distrust which is our sin and folly, and which only perplexes and distracts the mind
- Disagreements – with people v.2
- Sin – against God: no God no peace, know God know peace v.7.
Delight thyself in the Lord (Psa_37:4),
God bless you all!