I believe too many Christians have given up on the idea that joy is for THIS LIFETIME. In a rather fatalistic approach to life, some have decided that we will only know real joy in heaven — and we'll just have to wait. There is a Greek word that expresses that philosophy. Bear with me, it's hard to pronounce: baloney!
I invite you to see Paul's positive steps to reclaiming the joy.
"And now, brothers, as I close this letter, let me say this one more thing: Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about it."
Philippians 4:8 — The Living Bible
Just as Jesus says that if you have done it to the least of these, you have done it to me. See them as Jesus. How would you treat Jesus if he asked you for a bite to eat, or something to keep him warm?
You might be thinking, "What if they are scamming me and are just looking for a handout to buy booze or drugs?" If you give money to them with love and hope in your heart, what they do with it is on them — not you. And if you feed a few who don't need it, so what!
In verse 9 Paul writes:
"Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you."
Philippians 4:9
Where this translation says "put into practice," the KJV simply says "do." What was Paul encouraging them to do? He'd learned the joy of renewing his mind in Christ. It had transformed him, and he wanted the same joy for others. To "do," or "put into practice," is an imperfect tense, and it means to keep on doing — again and again.
In ancient times, the Jews saw renewal as the only genuine peace: the renewing of right relationships between people, and with God. If you're looking for peace with God based on when you became a member of a church — ten or fifty years ago — you are out of date, as well as out of touch. That wouldn't work in any other relationship. Why should we expect it to work with God? Each day should be a renewal, because we can only live one day at a time.
I tell young people that living in the light of Christ will prove to be the best move they could possibly make. It doesn't lessen your joy or your spontaneity. Instead, you will find yourself with a spirit of life that will make you a joy to everyone who knows you.
It's a choice: to live life on the world's terms, or to live a life of joy, love, and peace that will take you to places and situations you never dreamed of in this life.
