So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy…
Summary: Paul’s instruction to the Philippians contains a phrase that is key to our understanding of Christian living.
Paul’s words here are touching. Epaphroditus has been a lifeline to his brothers and sisters in Christ who live in Philippi. He travelled a great distance to bring gifts to Paul and support him during his unjust imprisonment, and then he almost died in his service to the Lord.
Paul has both love and respect for Epaphroditus. His words are a testimonial to the dedication of the man who has served the Lord well and given Paul so much. But what do his words mean?
If Paul had said, “Welcome him with great joy…” that would make sense, at least from a worldly perspective. But he doesn’t say that. He says, “…welcome him in the Lord with great joy…” What does he mean by “in the Lord?”
The Bible uses this phrase in two different ways.
“Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel,” (2 Kings 18:5) is an example of the first way. Hezekiah trusts in the Lord the same way that children trust their parents. The Lord is someone he can trust.
Speaking of children, that brings us to an example of the second use:
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” (Ephesians 6:1)
In this case, Paul is providing instructions on Christian living. Another way to say this is that he is providing instruction on our life in Christ.
This is not a simple thing for us to understand.
John’s Gospel records Jesus praying this:
“My prayer is not for them (the disciples) alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (John 17:20-21)
Just as Jesus and the Father are one (John 10:30), he wants we who believe to be “in us” and that “all of them may be one.”
See what I mean? This is challenging!
How many Christians act like they are “one” with the Father and Jesus? How many of us who claim to believe in Jesus are “one” with each other?
When we accept Jesus into our lives, we also become part of his life. Because he and the Father are one, his Father becomes our Father. Spiritually, we are “in” the Lord.
When Paul writes “welcome him in the Lord,” he is referring to a welcome that happens within this amazing relationship we have in Christ Jesus.
Application: Be consciously aware of being “in the Lord” at all times.
Food for Thought: How does being “in the Lord” change our perspective on life?
In the book of Ephesians, the Apostle Paul lists blessings that we have by being “in Christ” or “In Him.” These include having the Holy Spirit indwelling us as a deposit guaranteeing a future inheritance, that we are His children, we have redemption, forgiveness of sin, wisdom, understanding, unity. Our proper response that is repeated is praise. We do all things to the praise of His glory for the amazing benefits given to us in Christ.
Ephesians 1: 3 – 14 is just a sampling:
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
11In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
Thank you, Rich!
What a beautiful perspective! As our awareness of God’s Grace and mercy grows, so does our praise of greatness!
How does being “in the Lord” change our perspective on life?
It changes our perspective on how we view the world around us: just as Jesus transforms from a story of a man to the Living Word of God within us, we no longer see people as simply flesh and blood.
2 Corinthians 5:16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer.
It changes our perspective on how we view ourselves: no longer alone, no longer a slave to sin, but reconciled to God through Christ–A new creation in Him.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
It changes our perspective on how we view our role in life: no longer pursuing self-interest, but as ministers of His message of reconciliation. Ambassadors for Christ! God making His appeal through us!!
2 Corinthians 5:18-20 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
It changes our perspective on how we view our relationship with God: through Christ, and in Him, we are are unrighteous become the righteousness of God. We are a living testament to His righteousness and His power over sin and death!!
2 Corinthians 5:21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Wow, Chris!
It changes how we see others, ourselves, our purpose and our God.
Nicely said!
How does being “in the Lord” change our perspective on life?
We are eternal spiritual beings, temporarily confined within physical housings for a tIme known only by the Lord. We have been given free will to choose and seek what we perceive as having value, and in our own power choose self will as our priority.
Look at any child and we see the reality of natural human beings.
God is our creator, the creator of all things. In His timing, He by the power of His Holy Spirit will reach through our self centeredness, revealing the true nature of all mankind, to all mankind.
John 16:8, When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment.
At this point we will have the remainder of our time on earth to choose between life in the Spirit or eternal death in the flesh.
Romans 10:9 declares, If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
Ephesians 6:10, Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
Knowing, receiving, empowered by Jesus as Lord is essential for salvation. Identifying Jesus as both God and the rightful ruler of our lives, results in believers receiving His gift of eternal life now. As we submit our lives to His will over our own, He by the power of the Holy Spirit reaches out and shares His truths to all those around us, and we live in “His joy” as we experience His power flowing to others, through us.
Thank you, Ron!
Experiencing joy is definitely a perspective change for most Christians!