As we continue through the book of Philippians, we’re looking at how Paul was able to find and hold onto joy even in the midst of earthly circumstances that were anything but “good.” We’re picking up the letter in verse 18, where he’s writing about how he can find happiness even though his future is uncertain as he awaits a trial to determine if he lives or dies.
Read Philippians 1.18–26.
One of the reasons Paul can continue to rejoice in his uncertainty is that he knows his future holds deliverance. If he’s released, he’ll be able to continue sharing the gospel around the world. If he’s sentenced to death, he’ll be able to meet Jesus face-to-face. Paul knew that whether life or death, whether prison or freedom, he had a future of deliverance ahead of him. This is what allowed him to rejoice even in the face of uncertainty.
We can have this kind of confidence in our future if we hold the same views about life and death that Paul does.
1. Paul’s view of life was that his single greatest purpose was to serve God by helping people.
If we make our goal financial success, social status, or greater influence, there’s always a possibility we won’t achieve it. But when serving is our goal, joy is our future because God always provides us with the opportunity to build into His people, no matter our circumstances. When building up God’s people becomes our goal, our happiness doesn’t depend on whether or not we land our dream job or get our dream house. Instead, it is born out of the opportunities God gives to us to serve others.
2. Paul’s view of death was that he would finally experience the fullness of Jesus.
In order to find joy in uncertain futures, we need to look not only at how we approach life, but how we view death. For us, death is often the end: the end of our opportunity, the end of what we’ve worked so hard for, and the loss of people we love. For Paul, though, death meant finding perfect joy and love and finally meeting Jesus face-to-face. That’s why he’s able to rejoice, even though he doesn’t know if he’ll live or die.
The earliest followers of Jesus took rejoicing in death one step further. They looked at suffering and trials as a time to rejoice, as well.
Read Hebrews 10.32–35 and James 1.2–4.
Early Christians saw that suffering and trials were opportunities for God to work in them and bring about restoration and maturity. They saw suffering as a source of joy because suffering led them into the arms of Jesus. The key to rejoicing in the midst of trial or uncertainty is the same for us; it is found by looking at life and death the way Paul and the early Christians did.
Discussion Questions:
- What is your primary goal in life right now? Is your happiness contingent on achieving that goal?
- When have you set a goal that you didn’t achieve? Did it steal your joy, or were you able to find joy in the future ahead of you?
- Are you actively looking for opportunities God gives you to serve His people? If not, who can you talk with that might help you discern some of these opportunities?
- Who do you know that was able to hold onto their joy in the midst of their suffering? What evidence of God working through them were you able to see?
- What trial are you in the midst of currently? How can you see God working in and through you in the midst of this struggle?
Recent Comments