Finding Deep Joy in a Sad, Shallow World (A Study of Philippians) Part 8 JOY and the Community of God

As we continue the theme of JOY as expressed in the epistle to the Philippians, we come to Paul’s fifth use of the term It is found in chapter 2 where we read —

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Here we learn that we impact one another’s JOY! Paul appeals to these believers to be of one mind and to serve Christ in humility. In that way, he says, they will “make my JOY complete.” Is it not true that all of us have, in a sense, a kind of incomplete JOY? It is JOY in process. It is hopefully growing and expanding and increasing.

What, then, is the role of other believers in our own personal JOY? According to Paul, it ought to matter to us how they are doing in the Christian life. Are they finding their deepest needs met in Christ? Are they working toward a unity and oneness in their service for Him?

Is your JOY complete? Increasing? Negatively or positively impacted by the lives of other believers around you?

In our Western culture it seems our individualism has affected how we view the Christian community. We may think of JOY as strictly personal. But there is a corporate side to one’s JOY. We ought to care deeply how other believers are doing in their lives, recognizing that their growth has an effect (or should have an effect) on our JOY.