It has been often pointed out that in this epistle there is more about “joy” and “rejoicing” than perhaps in any other. And yet the Apostle is in circumstances that would naturally produce care and anxiety instead of joy; when writing it. But if we look carefully into the four chapters that compose this letter, we shall find that there are four great and important points that tell the secret of this Christian man being not only happy himself in spite of circumstances, but able to exhort others to “rejoice in the Lord alway.” And yet Paul was a man of like passions as ourselves. The four points are these:
In the 1st chapter, verse 21, Paul says that “for me to live is Christ.”
In the 2nd chapter, verses 5 to 9, he has what he exhorts others to have, “This mind that was in Christ Jesus.”
In the 3rd chapter, verses 13, 14, 20 and 21, he had the coming of the Lord before his soul continually.
In the 4th chapter, verse 13, he had Christ before him as his strength.
A Christian who has thus Christ as his object, Christ as his example, Christ’s coming as his hope, and Christ Himself as his strength, is and must be a happy soul. Reader, how is it with you and me?