Here is another critical issue for believers with respect to their testimony for Christ in the world. In a philosophy without God people are left with one logical approach to life: eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die (Eccl. 8:15; Isa. 22:13; 56:12; 1 Cor. 15:32). The picture of this lifestyle is of foolish drinking until one has forgotten all his problems so he can be happy even though his wife has left him and his dog has died.
That is not what is meant by rejoice always. The Greek philosophers spoke only of hedonism, living life according to the pleasure principle. As the Philippians letter points out, the Bible speaks of deep joy even when you are in jail for preaching Christ and even in the face of death. For to me to live in Christ and to die is gain (Phil. 1:21). It is not joy based on the fact we are in a pleasurable time of life. It is joy based in trust in the Sovereign God, understanding that every situation in life gives us reason and opportunity to be joyful.
With that in mind we give you today a list of things form the Bible where joy was expressed. Again, it is not to totally define or limit our joy. It is to show us that the command to rejoice always is doable for those who walk in the Spirit.
From W. E. Vine Occasions of Christian joy...
1.Hearing the gospel, Ac. 13:48
2.Receiving the Lord, Lk. 19:6
3.Suffering with Him, Ac. 5:41
4.Preaching the gospel, Phil. 1:18
5.Suffering in preaching, Phil. 2:17
6.Conversion of sinners, Lk. 15:7
7.Gospel harvest, Jn. 4:36
8.Manifestation of grace, Ac 11:23
9.Godliness of believers, Rom. 16:19
10.In submitting. to admonition, 2 Cor.
7:9
11.Godly order in the assembly of
believers, Col. 2:5
12.Meeting with believers, Rom. 15:32
13.Receiving tokens of love, Phil.
4:10
14.Rejoicing of others, Rom. 12:15
15.Well-being of others, 2Cor. 7:16
16.Kindness of believers, Phlm. 7
17.Honor done to others, 1Cor.12:26
18.Triumph
of truth, 1Cor. 13:6
REJOICE ALWAYS!
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