Philippians 4:4-5

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

Philippians 4:4-5

As Paul writes to the saints at Philippi, encouraging them to “be of the same mind in the Lord,” he tells them rather than arguing and keeping records of wrong, they should be spending their time rejoicing in the Lord.

Time is too short to hold grudges, grasp on to anger, or grind an axe, Paul says. “Rejoicing in the Lord” is how we should be spending our days. We might say to Paul, “Well, you don’t know all the facts, how I have been hurt, and what they said about me,” but his answer to us would be the same, “Again I say rejoice.” Paul would add, “Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.” What do we really want to be known for, our ability to hold grudges or our willingness to forgive and let God be glorified?

How do you want to be found when Jesus returns, rejoicing with the saints or arguing your case? “The Lord is at hand,” and this is our time to shine!

Pastor Doug Hardin