Philip 3:1   Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.

Paul thinks he is getting near the end of his letter with his ‘Finally', but he's not! Nevertheless, anticipating it, he thinks about closing with a final exhortation to rejoice. Rejoicing is a natural expression of the Christian when they are aware of who they are and of the resources open to them. When we think of who we are, what Christ has achieved on our behalf and what he has made us, that is a really good basis for rejoicing. When we think about the resources that are available to help us through the day, the Lord and His very own Holy Spirit, that is another very good foundation for rejoicing. Mournful or stressed Christianity is an oxymoron. It shouldn't be.

 

The trouble is that we forget these things. In the hustle and bustle of everyday life we forget who we are and we forget the fact that He is here and living in us. It sounds crazy really but it is the truth. It is so easy to forget the basics of our salvation and fall into a ‘works-orientated' life instead of a ‘receiving-God's-goodness' life. The apostle Paul knew this; he knew he needed to write the same things again and again. He knew there were people and different forms of spirituality (see following verses) that would try and get us forget the basics. It would act as a safeguard to us if he keeps on saying it, and he does again in chapter 4: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Phil 4:4) so let's make sure we do it!