The Lord Is Near

If you didn't pick up on Paul calling the church of Philippi to rejoice in the Lord the first time (2:18), or the second (3:1), this week we get two more reminders. According to Paul, rejoicing in the Lord is the ongoing practice of clinging to joy in the work and fruit of our salvation in Christ. That fruit is the nearness of the Lord to his people. Our rejoicing in the Lord leads to more than a good time on a Sunday morning; it is necessary for all Christians at all times and in every era. For joy in the Lord bears the fruit of gentleness and the peace of God, which equips us as representatives of the Lord in a troubled world while guarding us from any anxiety and worry we would suffer.