After an introduction to the book of Philippians in the previous article, let’s take a look at chapter 4, starting in verse 4:
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Philippians 4:4-5 NIV
Here, the Philippians are commanded to rejoice. So, let’s pause for a moment and ask, “What does it mean to rejoice?” You might say that it means to have joy, to celebrate, or to praise. Maybe you have another definition. In any case, hold that thought for a moment.
Have you ever heard a kid repeating something over and over again for emphasis, like, “I’m very, very, very, very, very, very hungry”?
As you probably know there are elements of language in the Bible where saying something twice is done for emphasis (like, “truly, truly, I say to you”?). In Revelation, we find beings saying “holy, holy, holy” to God, and if three times is enough to describe God’s holiness, I suspect that’s probably the most that we ever need to repeat something.
However we might define rejoicing, though, it was important enough to say it again. So, if this is such an important command that it was worth repeating, how about this: Do you rejoice?
Pastors and teachers have explained the difference between happiness and joy something like this:
- Happiness, as they suggest, is a function of circumstances. We are happy to find an extra $20 in our wallet. We are not happy when the check engine light goes on in our car.
- Joy, on the other hand, is something that we have within us, which no external force can take away. We can have joy in our hearts even when things are bad.
Now, I’m not sure if this is an exact definition (and even my comments here are paraphrasing what I remember), but I think that we can agree that there are blessings from God that we can appreciate even when we are going through trials and pain. And, if songs like “Accentuate the Positive” or “Tell Me the Old, Old Story”, or “Count Your Blessings” are to be believed, there are truths that can bring us joy even when our situation is looking pretty bad.
This passage also tells us to be gentle – not just privately, but in a way that everyone can see it. (Remember that gentleness is one of the ways that the fruit of the Spirit is defined in Galatians 5:22-23, just before self-control.)
For guys, being overtly gentle might seem to be a challenge. In cultures where we’re supposed to be rough and tough, being gentle can seem out of place. But, isn’t that what true gentleness and humility are all about? Someone who is weak and unable to stand up for themselves can’t show much humility, in my mind, because they are stuck in their situation. (By the way, these are often people that we should stand up for when they are bullied.) On the other hand, if we think about someone who has the muscles to shove you over or beat you up, or someone who has the authority to throw you in jail, or someone who has the money to sue you into oblivion – when those people are gentle and humble, despite having the power to get their way, that is what self-control looks like. In the same way, if Jesus couldn’t have called down an army of angels to rescue Him, would He have truly been submissive to those who executed Him?
Now, we might think that we are too weak and helpless to show gentleness to others, but I’m confident that each of us has a role or an opportunity where we could insist on our own way, and try to compel others to meet our selfish desires. However, gentleness from the Holy Spirit will allow us to consider others better than ourselves. See Philippians 2:3-4 and Romans 12:10 for more thoughts related to this topic.
And, if we don’t think that we have a lot of power or influence, don’t forget the last part of verse 5: “The Lord is near.” There may be an aspect here of God watching us, but I also think that He empowers us with both 1) the ability to change the world for Him, and 2) the ability to not become a jerk while doing it. Also, if Jesus’ return is imminent, we should remember that He could come back any day, and our divinely-produced gentleness could make an eternal difference in someone’s life…before it’s too late.
So, rejoicing and gentleness might not always be what we want to do, but they are both part of Paul’s instructions to the Philippians, and – I believe – they are applicable to us, as well.
From Sunday School lesson prepared for September 17, 2023
References:
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- The College Press Commentary, Philippians Colossians & Philemon, by Anthony L. Ash. College Press Publishing Company, © 1994.
Those Who Sin Differently 