The Source of Eternal Joy
“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, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.” –Philippians 2:1-2
Paul’s exhortation to the church in Philippi is a wonderful statement with miraculous application. Paul has experienced key truths and he is encouraging us to take full advantage of them. A doorway is open to us, one with tremendous possibility. Paul uses four relational jewels to exhort the Church to come to a place of loving fellowship in true community.
Paul is exhorting us to come to this place of loving community by being “like-minded” or having the same mind, thoughts and choices he has experienced. Take note that Paul recognizes and finds joy as the saints have the mind and actions of community together. True joy is the fruit of relational interaction in love.
When a father receives his child and the two come face to face, receive and give love, that is the source of true joy. Joy flows from giving and receiving love—the very essence of what our God is (1 John 4:8). We give and receive this love as we engage with our Father and his children in loving ways. I pray this little encouragement will challenge you to consider and experience all your relationships in a new light.
Focus on, think on these four relational jewels Paul shares with us: the encouragement of Christ, the comfort of his love, sharing in his Spirit, his tenderness and compassion. Remember them. Imagine them. How have they felt? How have you experienced them? Who have you shared them with?
3 Practical Ways to Grow in Joy Daily
1. Understand the truth of your/our need for true community. Find a group of loving people and join them, learn from them. The most powerful way to grow in relational skills is through imitation. Choose to take these four exhortations and practice them with those in your community.
2. Give thanks to God for the provision, the life that you have remembered as you walked with him through the experiences above. Thanksgiving is one of the most powerful ways to experience joy with your Father. Speaking thanks out loud as you are with him alone is really fun.
3. The next time you come into contact with a family member, brother or sister in Christ that you love, stop, look them in the eyes, and tell why and how grateful you are for their presence in your life. Share how they have encouraged you, comforted you, shared with you, or been tender and compassionate.
As you practically choose to fellowship with and invite the love and presence of Christ into your heart, joy is the fruit of his presence. Let’s choose to share the joy today!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
David Knaup was a pastor in the Vineyard movement for more than 30 years. He has been working with Novo since 2018. David is the Director of Intercession for the Activated team in Novo and works with the Church in America from his home base in Orange County California. David is a certified Spiritual Director and is called to assist pastors/leaders in their growth and intimacy with Jesus. He has been married to his lovely wife Laura for 42 years and they have two wonderful children and an amazing grandson.
