Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have an apostle like Peter or Paul still alive today? In that vein, there are many questions that I have. What were they like? What would they think of American culture? What types of lives would they live? How would they preach, sing, pray, give and study? More importantly, what would they have to say to the church? What positive comments would they have? What rebukes would they give? One question on which I want to focus is what would make someone like the apostle Paul joyful? I think we would all say that if Jesus or one of His apostles were living among us today, we would want to please them and bring them joy. Consider some things that Paul said brought him deep joy.
Paul rejoiced to learn of the obedience of Christians (2 Corinthians 7:15-16). Paul considered faithful churches that he had planted to be his “joy” or “crown of rejoicing” (Philippians 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20). Paul found no pleasure in watching others mourn over their sin, but he was joyful when God’s Word pricked one’s heart enough for him or her to repent, realizing that it leads to salvation (2 Corinthians 7:8-10). This repentance produced “diligence,” “vindication,” “indignation” (toward sin), “fear” (cause for alarm), “longing,” “zeal” and “avenging of wrong.” It “proved [them] innocent” and caused Paul to rejoice (2 Corinthians 7:11).
Paul rejoiced to learn his fellow workers were refreshed and encouraged by the godly example of other Christians (2 Corinthians 7:13). Paul had “great joy” in knowing of the encouragement one brother-in-Christ showed to other Christians (Philemon 7). Paul rejoiced when he learned about the church’s “mourning” and “zeal” for Paul in his afflictions (2 Corinthians 7:4-7). Paul rejoiced at the prospect of being reunited with his faithful and trusted fellow-worker in the Lord (2 Timothy 1:4). Paul prayed for Christians with joy because of the prospect of their spiritual growth and ultimate completion when Christ returns (Philippians 1:4-6). Paul rejoiced when Christ was preached to people even when the messengers may not have had the noblest of motives (Philippians 1:15-18). Paul’s joy was “fulfilled” when Christians had loving unity with one another – “same love,” “one accord” and “one mind” (Philippians 2:2-3). By implication, Paul was not pleased when Christians acted out of selfish ambition or conceit (Philippians 2:3). Paul’s rejoicing in faithful Christian brethren was so strong that he felt any thanksgiving he could offer to God was wholly inadequate. The joy he received was an indescribable reward for Paul (1 Thessalonians 3:9).
We certainly want to be a church in whom Paul would find great joy by seeing our faithfulness, perseverance, dedication to evangelism, sensitivity to the Word of God, sorrow over sin, repentance, diligence, sense of urgency, mutual love, unity, spiritual growth, encouragement, and heartache and action towards needy and suffering brethren. There is also a lesson for us in the types of things in which Paul found his deepest joy. He did not mention physical possessions. He did not mention status. He did not mention sports. He did not mention nature. In fact, Paul counted his personal agenda and even his own life as nothing to the point where he even rejoiced in his sufferings because He had died to self and Christ was living in him (Colossians 1:24; Galatians 2:20; Romans 6:11). Let us all determine to be Christians in whom Paul would find joy and root our joys in the things that matter the most.
