FULFILL THE JOY OF PAUL

Philippians 2:1-2 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

No one can deny the love that Saul had for God before his conversion. Nor can anyone deny Paul's love for the Son of God, immediately after he learned the true will of God, was converted, and baptized into the body of Christ. His love for God, for Jesus Christ, for the gospel message of Christ, and for fellow Christians, the church of Christ, is evident, in his letter to the church at Corinth, as recorded in the 13th Chapter of 1 Corinthians. Read it; read it again and again. It is extremely important that all Christians learn the true meaning of love, and practice it daily in their conduct of life. This is the example of love that Paul exhorts all to take as their own. It is this love that Paul desires all to express in unity with him. In the brotherhood of Christ, there is to be unity in love. In the Christian attribute of brotherly love, all are to be likeminded ...of one accord ...(and) of one mind.

Verse 2 tells us emphatically that Paul desires a unity of love in the body of Christ. The preface to his desire is found in verse 1, which says that if there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, (and) if any bowels of mercies (then, as verse 2 says,) fulfill ye my joy. The word if is used four times in this statement. It has been underlined to express the emphasis this study places on it. The word if is not used to demonstrate doubt, but rather a strong, positive assertion of the truths in this statement of the apostle Paul. Use of the word if is rhetorical, meaning that, where their is unity of love, within God's people, there is consolation in Christ, there is comfort in love, there is fellowship of the Spirit, and there is bowels of mercies.

Consolation in Christ - It is the consolation (the desire and love for the solace and comfort of another) available from Christ to all children of God; a consolation that is only available in Christ; a consolation that is freely given to all members of His body that need and seek it. His consolation is needed in times of persecution, affliction, sadness, and distress. It is also needed, but often overlooked, in times of victory, peace, elation, and good fortune. Within the church of Christ, consolation means the united desire and love within the body of Christ, for the solace of others, which is the consoling compassion for others in time of grief, suffering, sorrow, pain, loneliness, discomfort, or any other physical or mental hardship. Paul affirmed this consolation in Christ to the church at Thessalonica when he wrote, Now our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work (2 Thess. 2:16-17).

Comfort of Love - With the exception of eternal salvation in heaven, no other blessing is available to mankind that is more desired and sought after, than love. The arms of love reach out and embrace all that freely give true love to others. When we love God, and demonstrate that love by loving our fellow man, then, and only then, will God love us. Brotherly love that is given, evokes brotherly love in return. Love given to one's spouse and family is the only avenue through which their love in return can be found. It is impossible to give love away without getting it back in return - Just try it! Indeed, in love there is comfort.

Fellowship of the Spirit - All Christians enjoy this in common - all partake of the Holy Spirit of God. This mutual relationship results in a loving fellowship with all brethren in Christ. All Christians have available, and partake of, a common spiritual food - the word of God. When we encourage each other to study the bible, and when we study its contents together, as a congregation of God's people, we are, indeed, engaging in a fellowship of the Spirit.This, Paul refers to as the fellowship in the gospel (Phil. 1:5), and as the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ (Eph. 3b).

Bowels of Mercies - Just as love given away, results in love that is returned, so mercy freely extended to others is required by God, in order to receive His mercy toward us, as well as compassion from others. Followers of Christ are expected, even required, to abound in mercy and forgiveness for others; mercy that extends from the bowels, or the depths of one's conscious conduct of life. Jesus Christ, Himself teaches us, Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy (Matt. 5:7).

As Christians, there is consolation in Christ, ... comfort of love, ...fellowship of the Spirit, ...(and) bowels of mercy. United in this belief, and practiced in our daily life, we will fulfill Paul's joy, as well as the joy of your Father in heaven, and His Son; our Savior, Jesus Christ.