Rejoice in the Lord

Philippians 3:1-3

 

Rejoice in the Lord

 

Paul says rejoice in the Lord. It is to be glad or delighted, To celebrate, To be cheerful. Joy is a feeling of inner gladness, Delight or rejoicing.

 

Joy for the Christian is marked by celebration and expectation of God’s ultimate victory over the powers of sin and darkness.

 

It connects with the Person of Christ. Christians can rejoice because of their relationship in Christ Jesus.

 

So, let’s all rejoice in the Lord on what he have done for us and who is he for us.

 

Be joyful that we are set apart and we are his children.

 

Be joyful for the fellowship we have with the Holy Spirit.

 

Be joyful that we are glorified through Jesus Christ.

 

Then he says, resist the Enemy. He points out to 3 types of enemies we must be aware.

 

#1 Beware of Dogs:

 

Legalists who attempted to deceive the Philippians.

 

Today, we must beware of men of a quarrelsome and combative spirit, who under the appearance of religion hide impure and unclean things and who are not only tainted but defiling in their influence.

 

#2 Beware of Evil workers: 

 

These people are the Odd characters in the Church. They introduce trends and hobbies; they exaggerate and follow it to the damage of God`s truth and love

 

 

 

#3 Beware of the mutilation:

 

 In the Philippi church, they did not deny that Jesus was the Messiah, rather, the power of God and our salvation was tied not only to Jesus Christ, but also to the circumcision which Paul calls it a fleshly act.

 

 

Let us not pay attention to rules, customs and rituals.

 

Our confidence is in God. Fleshly acts can’t bring us closer to God.

 

Trusting in the work that he has been completed on the cross will brings us closer to God.

 

His hands are always open wide for us to go closer to him.

 

In garden of Eden God wanted to meet Adam and Eve but they where hiding from God.

 

Beware of wrong teaching which can lead you to self-righteousness.

 

Search your heart today is there anything or anyone making you stray away from God.

 

Search your heart today is there anything other than Jesus that you are rejoicing about in your Christian life.

 

Let us Pray:

 

Dear Lord, help us to have the discernment on what is right and what is that we need to follow you. Let our focus not turn to the things of the world, rather, help us to trust you completely. In Jesus Name. Amen.