DYNAMIS!
A publication of St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral
Wichita, KS
Philippians 1:20-27 (10/15) Epistle for Thursday of the
Nineteenth Week after Pentecost
A Martyr’s Heart IV, The Joy
of Faith: Philippians 1:20-27, especially vs. 25: “And being confident of this, I know that I shall
remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of
faith.” Let the expression “...joy of faith” (vs. 25)
remind you of the close connection between faith and joy as gifts of God. Faith teaches that God acts graciously
on our behalf in Christ, converting our captivity, so that our mouth may truly
be “...filled with joy, and our tongue with rejoicing” (see Ps.
125:1,2).
Faith also teaches us to “...sow with tears” of repentance
so that we “...shall reap with rejoicing” (Ps. 125:6). The Holy Spirit of God produces the
fruit of both joy and faith (Gal. 5:22), for these spiritual gifts grow
together in Him.
Notice in this present reading that the Apostle shares his
personal confidence that he “...shall remain...” in the flesh, that
is, that he shall “...continue...” in this life after his trial and
be able once again to minister to the Philippian
congregation (Phil. 1:24,25). Thus, in this Epistle, he admits to
being confident of survival despite a potential death sentence (vs. 21). Clearly he was encouraging his beloved
people to progress further in faith that they might realize a deeper, abiding
joy (vs. 25). By examining the
character of a martyr’s heart through
If we are tempted to ground our hope on outcomes in this
life, we must heed the wise Prophet Solomon’s warning: “Sorrow does
not mingle with gladness, But in the end, this joy turns to sorrow”
(Prov. 14:13). It is disturbing
that given the historical Cross and Resurrection, given a true and firm
foundation for joy as an enduring gift from God, many Christians remain sadly dependent upon momentary circumstances because
of weak, immature faith. Dependent
joy and immature faith are contrary to the will of our gracious God. Isaiah points to the better way: anchor
to an abiding source of joy, to the Lord and eternal God so that we need not be
afraid in the flux of events: “'Behold, God is my Savior and Lord. I will trust in Him and be saved by
Him. I will not be afraid, for the
Lord is my glory and my praise. He
is become my salvation'” (Is. 12:2).
The Lord Jesus makes it abundantly clear that He came to
establish a full, deep, abiding joy for His people. At the Last Supper He said: “These
things I have spoken to you that My joy may remain in
you, and that your joy may be full” (Jn. 15:11). He had in mind a joy that cannot be
taken away by the ups and downs of this present life. Remember His parable: “...the
kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man hath found
and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has, and buys that
field” (Mt. 13:44). Let us
invest our life and love and all our treasures in the field of the Kingdom!
In the Epistle to the Hebrews, the Apostle encourages us:
“...leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us
go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead
works and of faith toward God...” (Heb. 6:1). Diadochos of Photiki, himself well-schooled in the “joy of
faith,” speaks of two types of Christian joy: “Initiatory joy is
one thing, the joy of perfection is another. The first is not exempt from fantasy,
while the second has the strength of humility. Between the two joys comes a
‘godly sorrow’ (2 Cor. 7:10) and active tears....In this manner,
the soul is tested by divine rebuke as in a furnace, and through fervent
remembrance of God it actively experiences the joy exempt from
fantasy.” This is the way to
the 'joy of faith,' as Saint James says: “Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning,
and your joy to gloom...and [the Lord] will lift you up” (Jas. 4:9,10).
Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and with Thy
governing Spirit establish me.
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