Christ Is My Joy

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things.” Philippians 4:8

This is a verse I’ve been thinking of a lot the last few weeks.

What I find interesting about this passage is it’s in the context of Paul talking about Joy.

I guess I’ve always thought of this passage in regards to transforming my mind. Just like the Romans twelve passage. This makes sense with the rest of the passage too. In verse seven Paul is talking about guarding their hearts and minds. However I think Paul is saying more in this passage.

We need to make a connection between Joy, and what we meditate on. It makes sense! If Christ is my Joy, and my heart and mind is only half on Him, does it not stand to reason the best I’ll ever have is half Joy?

If all I have is half Joy, can I ever learn to be really content?

If I’m never really content, what is there in this life worth living for?

If I let the things of the world, the things which don’t fit Paul’s description from verse eight, into my heart and mind I will be a man who is divided. My soul won’t experience Joy, instead it will be torn and confused. Some of me to Christ, and some of me to the world.

Our though life will enable us or keep us from experiencing Joy in life. I want to live my life in the Joy of Christ, letting my “gentleness be known to all men.” To do so I have to get my though life in line with Him.

Look at the promise from verse nine “... these do, and the God of peace [the peace which surpasses all understanding v.7] will be with you.”

It’s time to get our minds lined up with Christ’s. Let’s live in true Joy.