RPG Adults
AN EPISTLE OF JOY AND PEACE
SATURDAY, APRIL 1
Philippians 1:1-5
Philippians 4:1-9
“…to all the saints in Christ Jesus
which are at Philippi…”
AN EPISTLE OF JOY AND PEACE
The Epistle to the Philippians is one of the more personable epistles that Paul wrote. The tone of the letter is that of someone writing a letter to his friend, exhorting his loved ones out of love and concern. It adopts a markedly different tone from some of the epistles that Paul had written, such as the letter to the Galatians where it is more of a stern word of instruction and rebuke from the Apostle.
This epistle is often described as the epistle of joy. The idea of rejoicing is found no less than sixteen times in this short epistle. Here, Paul exhibited a true understanding of the Christian’s purpose, for even amid the adversities that he was facing, he was able to share his own joy, and exhort his readers to rejoice together with him.
While not mentioned as many times, it is also an epistle that conveys the thought of peace in its various aspects. Although he was in bonds and had numerous enemies who were seeking to antagonise him (Phil 1:12-17) and was facing a very real prospect of death (Phil 1:18-23), Paul expressed the state of peace that he was in. He also encouraged his readers to put aside all conflicts and seek to obey God, for He is the “God of peace (who) shall be with you” (Phil 4:9).
The reason he could have such joy and peace was because his ambitions and goals in life have been changed by the Lord Jesus Christ. As a Christian, for him to live is Christ and to die is gain (Phil 1:21), and daily he had no other desire than to press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Phil 3:14). He exhorted his readers to “rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice” (Phil 4:4), and assured them that through prayer they can have “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding” (Phil 4:7).
As we study this epistle over the next three months, may we too be able to enjoy the joy and peace that comes through our Lord Jesus Christ.
THOUGHT: Should the lives of all Christians be characterised by joy and peace?
PRAYER: Father, may I learn to rejoice in Thee always, and have the peace from Thee which passeth all understanding.