Connie is a Staff Writer for COM

Are you a Happy Christian? Why or why not? Philippians 4:4 commands us
to "REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAY..." 1 Thessalonians 5:16 says, "REJOICE
EVERMORE." Are you obeying these commands?

You might add, "Well, I am joyful most of the time, but not every
moment. There are times when I am dampened by harsh circumstances and
afflictions that come my way."

What about this? How can it be possible to constantly rejoice at all
times and in all conditions, even through suffering and pain? Let's
look into the Scriptures for answers to these questions.

"REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAY." This is definitely a command from God to
us. What does it mean to "REJOICE"? "REJOICE" means to be cheerful, be
glad, be continually happy, be joyful, and be calmly happy. How often are we
required to "REJOICE"? "ALWAY." The word "ALWAY" means at all times and
in all conditions. No matter what - Christians are to "REJOICE."

How can this be? Do you know of anyone who is obeying this Scriptural
command? Who could possibly be cheerful at all times? Do you know
anyone who is? Yet the Scriptures say, "REJOICE EVERMORE." This should be
accomplished in every Christian's life. Then why isn't it?

Most people in reading Philippians 4:4 emphasize the word "REJOICE."
Christians are exhorted to "REJOICE, REJOICE, REJOICE." Yet as
important as the word "REJOICE" is in this particular Scripture, there is another
word that is equally important and cannot be overlooked. It is the word
"LORD."

Philippians 4:4 says, "REJOICE IN THE LORD..." In fact, this Scripture
can be likened unto a scale. It only balances out if "REJOICE" is on
one side, and "LORD" is on the other. 

Who is the "LORD"? JESUS is!

What does it mean when we call Him "LORD"? It means that He is supreme
in authority over our lives. He is the controller of all circumstances and
situations that come our way. He is the possessor and owner of all that
we are and all that we have. Simply spoken, He is Master of Everything
that pertains to us.

The question to ask ourselves at this point is - Is Jesus "LORD"? Is He
in TOTAL CONTROL of our lives? Does He possess and own us and
everything that we have?

This is a very important point for this is the very reason why many
Christians are not continually happy. Jesus is simply NOT "LORD" over
every area of their lives. If He was, there would be no reason for
anyone NOT to "REJOICE", even in the worst of circumstances! JESUS IS LORD!
Why NOT "REJOICE EVERMORE"? JESUS IS LORD!

We see then that, just as 2+2=4, "REJOICE" + "LORD" = "ALWAYS" when
Jesus is given His rightful place in our lives.

Following along these same lines, throughout the Scriptures we read of
the people who were "GLAD IN THE LORD." Who are they? They are the
"RIGHTEOUS." They are the "UPRIGHT IN HEART."

Psalm 68:3 says, "BUT LET THE RIGHTEOUS BE GLAD; LET THEM REJOICE
BEFORE GOD: YEA, LET THEM EXCEEDINGLY REJOICE."

Psalm 64:10 says, "THE RIGHTEOUS SHALL BE GLAD IN THE LORD...AND ALL
THE UPRIGHT IN HEART SHALL GLORY."

And again, Psalm 32:11 says, "BE GLAD IN THE LORD, AND REJOICE, YE
RIGHTEOUS: AND SHOUT FOR JOY, ALL YE THAT ARE UPRIGHT IN HEART."

Who exactly are the "RIGHTEOUS"? They are the just and lawful ones.
They are the friends of HOLINESS and the enemies of SIN. They are right in
conduct and character.

Who are the "UPRIGHT IN HEART"? They are the godly and pure ones. They
are straight and correct in their thinking and walk in a manner which
is pleasing unto God. They are the ones who "EXCEEDINGLY REJOICE" before
God. They "SHOUT FOR JOY" with "JOY UNSPEAKABLE" because they are in
right standing with Him.

Job 27:8 inquires, "FOR WHAT IS THE HOPE OF THE HYPOCRITE...?"

Job 27:10 asks, "WILL HE DELIGHT IN THE ALMIGHTY?"

Job 20:5 answers, "THAT THE TRIUMPHING OF THE WICKED IS SHORT, AND THE
JOY OF THE HYPOCRITE BUT FOR A MOMENT?"

The "HYPOCRITE" is the godless, profane, irreligious, and impious one.
He is the one who is soiled with SIN. He professes Christianity and
pretends to be holy, yet secretly practices SIN in his life.

The "WICKED" is the guilty one. He is guilty of SIN. He is morally
wrong. He is ungodly. He is hostile toward God.

Job 20:5 says, "...THE TRIUMPHING OF THE WICKED IS SHORT..." In other
words, all the shouting for joy, the singing, and the rejoicing of the
"WICKED" is "SHORT." It is soon over. It cannot and will not last. "THE
JOY OF THE HYPOCRITE" IS "BUT FOR A MOMENT." It is as the wink of the
eye. It is for a very short space of time.

Because the "HYPOCRITE" is not right with God, his joy is temporary.
The wicked man has no real happiness in God because of his ungodly state.
Therefore, both the "HYPOCRITE" and the "WICKED" are miserable, and
know nothing of the continuous JOY that the righteous man shares.

Suppose one has sinned and "PLAYED THE HYPOCRITE" but desires to be
restored to the JOY of his salvation. What should he do? The Book of
Job offers some helpful guidelines.

Job 22:21-23 says, "Aquaint now thyself with Him, and be at peace:
thereby good shall come unto thee. Receive, I pray thee, the law from
His mouth, and lay up His words in thine heart. If thou return to the
Almighty, thou shalt be built up, thou shalt put away iniquity far from
thy tabernacle."

This is a CALL to repent of all sin. It is a CALL to turn back to the
Lord and His instruction in His Word. It is a CALL to once again submit
to the Will of God for one's life and make Jesus Lord of all.

Job 22:26 gives the blessed result - "FOR THEN SHALT THOU HAVE THY
DELIGHT IN THE ALMIGHTY..." Then the Lord Jesus will once again be your
"EXCEEDING JOY."

Is it really possible for a Christian to "REJOICE EVERMORE" even in the
face of adverse circumstances? Can we "REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAY..."?
Not only can we do so, but we must, for it is a COMMAND FROM GOD. How is it
possible?

• A Time to Rend
• Who Do You Turn To?
• The Generation of Hypocrisy
• The Christian Online Magazine