The joy of serving the Lord is unmatched in this world. Paul said, “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice.” People, things, worry and circumstances will often rob us of our joy! Paul identified four attitudes in maintaining Christian joy in Philippians: the single mind (1:21); the submissive mind (2:3); the spiritual mind (3:20) and the secure mind (4:7). Biblical joy (John 15:11; 16:24; 1 John 1:4) includes the joy of salvation (Psalm 51:12; Acts 8:39); the joy set before us (Hebrews 12:2; Matthew 5:12); the joy of suffering (Acts 5:41; James 1:2; 1 Peter 4:13, 16) and the joy of faith (Philippians 1:21, 25). Consider what the joy of faith involves.
Personal Faith
“For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” When Saul (Paul) was converted to Christ, he considered it a personal conversion (Acts 9:6). Paul had been personally crucified with the Lord (Galatians 2:20). He knew the Lord personally (2 Timothy 1:12). Our faith must be personal in order to defend the truth (1 Peter 3:15). Only a person with a personal faith can say, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.”
Purposeful Faith
“For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Like Paul, we must have the right purpose (live for Christ); we cannot serve two masters (Matthew 6:24). Too many people are “double-minded” (James 1:8). Christians must focus on seeking first God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness (Matthew 6:33). Joshua exemplified a purposeful faith, by saying, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).
Profitable Faith
“For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” The word “gain” is a financial term: profit, return, reward, dividend. It speaks of the blessings and benefits of serving the Lord. David asked, “What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine and taketh away the reproach of Israel?” (1 Samuel 17:26). Moses considered the riches of Christ greater than anything in Egypt because he “had respect unto the recompense of the reward”(Hebrews 11:26). Faithful living benefits us in this life and in the life to come (1 Timothy 4:8). David said, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever” (Psalm 23:6).
Conclusion
Notice how the joy of faith was exemplified in Paul’s life. Personal Faith: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” Purposeful Faith: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” Profitable Faith: “There is a crown of righteousness laid up for me” (2 Timothy 4:6-8).
