Day 350, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today's Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Philippians 3, 4; 1Timothy 1, 2
Keeping our Joy and Liberty
Scrooge appears as the main character in “The Christmas Carol,” a Christmas story written by Charles Dickens in 1843. Life was very challenging for most people in the drama—they lived in poverty. Scrooge was a wealthy but stingy businessman who despised Christmas. He could have helped alleviate the suffering, but instead, Christmas was “bah, humbug” to him. He tried to steal the joy of the season from others.
Who is it or what is trying to steal our joy at Christmas or other times? How do we keep our joy and continue to live in Christian liberty?
Where can we find our joy?
If anyone had a cause for not rejoicing, it would have been the Apostle Paul. He was writing as a prisoner from Rome. During his three missionary journeys, he experienced mockings, beatings, and threats to his life. What reason did he have to be joyful?
Paul found joy in the Lord
The famous apostle was formerly an abuser and persecutor of Christians until the Lord struck him blind. Paul was helpless, but he prayed to the Lord and was converted. God then restored his sight. The blind man was once Saul, a Pharisee, a religious legalistic zealot. He had education, distinction, and influence. Now, Paul has a new perspective. He confesses,
...whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death (Philippians 3:7-10, NIV).
What a change! If any of us aren't followers of Christ, the Lord can also make a change in our life. He can give us spiritual life, peace, forgiveness of sins, and a purpose to live (more...).
Watch out for joy-stealers!
Those that oppress Christians were present in Paul’s day and are present today. Joy-stealers in Paul’s day were Jewish Christians. Because of the pressure of their culture, they wanted all other Christians to follow the ceremonial laws of Moses and any traditions the religious leaders added to them. Paul refused to go back into a religion of endless rules and practices. He lived and obeyed God by faith.
Today, there are Christian communities who are religious legalistic people and have their own standards, and they want to impose them on everyone else. However, they aren’t set out clearly in the Scriptures as a part of godliness and righteousness. No, these are additional religious practices to make people appear righteous.
We should remember that righteousness comes through faith. It doesn’t come by keeping religious laws, ceremonies, traditions, or doing something to distinguish ourselves. By faith, we keep God’s commandments, love our fellow believers, and are kind to those who don’t yet follow Jesus.
How can we be rejoicing Christians?
Do we want to be rejoicing Christians? Then, besides enjoying our freedom from sin and legalistic practices, we need to take the focus off our circumstances and rejoice in the Lord. The Lord is near. If we pray when we are anxious and give thanks for all things, he will guard our hearts and fill us with peace (Philippians 4:4-7, NIV).
Suppose that some are rich and prosperous, but we are not. Remember, when we became Christians, we became citizens of heaven, not the earth. If we learn to be content in whatever circumstances he has placed us, we can still have peace and joy.
How do we keep our liberty in Christ?
Keeping our liberty in Christ is closely associated with keeping our joy. To keep our faith’s freedom, we mustn’t tolerate or give heed to false teachings and religious legalism. These try to draw us away from the Bible’s proper teaching. An essential teaching of the Scriptures is that faith in God expresses itself through love. Because we love God, we obey and suffer for him, love each other, and submit to one another.
Fight the good fight!
Paul instructs us that we mustn’t become uncaring in our Christian life. We must “fight the good fight of faith, holding on to faith and a good conscience.” This will help us joyfully sail in our relationship with God and not be shipwrecked by compromises to his standards (1Timothy 1:18-19, NIV).
Government officials can also affect our joy and liberty. As Christians, we should obey the governing authorities that God has ordained and not be contentious (Romans 13:4b-5). We should pray for our leaders. “Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone” (Proverbs 25:15, NIV). We should try to be reasonable, kind, and considerate law-abiding citizens (1Timothy 2:1-4).
The only exception to obeying governing authorities is if it causes us to disobey God (Acts 4:19; 5:29). This uncontentious, cooperative behavior with our government in many cases will lead to peace, continued freedom, and even our joy.Discussion
Where can real joy and peace be found? (more)
Who are joy-stealers? What do they do and how should we respond?
How do we keep our liberty in Christ?
It was typical for people to have two names. Paul had dual citizenship. He was born a Jew and a Roman.When he became a missionary, Saul used his second name, Paul, which was Roman (see Acts 13:9), to evangelize those who were mainly non-Jewish (Gentile) people. https://www.gotquestions.org/Saul-Paul.html
Focus Verse
Philippians 3:20 (NIV) “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
My prayer response: Dear Father in heaven, we rejoice in you! We praise you for your righteousness and grace. May we live in your happiness and tell others of the love and peace you offer so they might also come into your kingdom.
We know it’s your will that we find peace in you, not our circumstances. Therefore, we pray this will be our daily focus, our daily bread. Nevertheless, since you ask us to pray, please meet our needs. Lord, forgive us for being anxious and worrying. Help us to have confidence in you to provide.
We also pray that we will forgive others as you have forgiven us. Please lead us away from the temptation to be bitter against others and insist they live up to our standards. May all that we do and say bring glory to your name today. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.
Please send your comments to me
Looking Ahead: We don't want anyone to steal our joy, so can we act any way we want in church? Our Next Lesson deals with Right Conduct for the Church. Join us!
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