In this aftermath of our presidential election, a British newspaper carried a story, "How Could 59 Million People Be So Dumb?"  That article is the tip of the iceberg of a new war, a war of anger, cynicism and disdain for anything American.  I believe it's going to get worse in the coming years.  That unfortunate Marine accused of shooting one wounded enemy, receives the world's anger while hundreds of insurgents are all but excused for brutal murders of the innocent.  One religion is excused for preaching hatred, while another is condemned for preaching God's love.  Hating America is in vogue, and the double standard - the good being blamed while the evil are excused - is enough to make one's head spin.

          What shall we do?  One thing is for sure - we Americans must stop hating and turning on each other.  Now more than ever we need to stick up for each other, as G. K. Chesterton said, "We are all in the same boat in a stormy sea, and we owe each other a terrible loyalty."  The world today is slowing sinking in the mire of hopelessness.  Now is the time for Christians to show forth the love of God as never before, in all we do and say.

          Writings in the early church tell us that pagans and unbelievers remarked of Christians, "See how they love one other."  And that was during a time of terrible persecution!  Christians were being tossed to the lions, yet they showed God's love.  They should have hated, but they did not.  Romans were loaded with money but empty of morals.  Roman citizens were free, yet in bondage to hopelessness.  The typical Roman had all he wanted, but nothing of what he needed.  Therefore, when Christians rejoiced at anything, it set them apart from the rest of the crowd.  Something was different about Christians, something that made Christianity look good.

          Could the same be said of Christians today?  Do people look at us and say, "See how they love one another?"  Or would it be, "See how they fight with one another?"  Do we show God's love or are we no different from the lions?  It all depends on our hearts.  If our heart is bitter, we will be bitter.  If our heart has joy, then we will rejoice in what we do and say.

          Two thousand years ago St. Paul wrote, "Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice!"  Christ was coming back again soon, so he lived each day like his last day on earth.  He wanted his people to think on the good and important things, not the petty and the negative.  Our society wants us to think about personal rights, or financial security, or moral relativity.  Paul and the early believers would not have considered such things worthy of worry.  They knew life was short, and so they thought about the things of God, such as rejoicing, gentleness, prayer, contentment and peace.

          C. S. Lewis wrote a wonderful book, Surprised by Joy, that tells the story of his journey from unbelief to faith.  The title also refers to his marriage to Joy Gresham.  Lewis said those married years were the best of his life, filled with much joy and peace, even though Joy was diagnosed with cancer.  St. Paul, too, was often surprised by God's joy, even in prison, or in sickness or in persecution.  "Rejoice in the Lord," he said.  Let's examine five things from this text that are a snapshot of Paul's secrets to the Christian life.  (look at the text)

          (1)  "REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS":  To "Rejoice" is to share joy that comes from God.  It's a fruit of the Spirit, together with love, peace, patience and self-control.  We get our joy from God because God is the source of joy.  His angels rejoice in His presence and He gives eternal joy in heaven where there is no suffering or strife or sadness.  We rejoice because God loves us, and our rejoicing brings joy to others.  We pass on what we have received it from the Lord, and God blesses it all.  "Rejoice in the Lord always!"

          (2)  "BE GENTLE WITH EACH OTHER":  Paul wrote, "Let us do good to all people, especially to those of the family of believers." (Galatians 6:10)   There is an old song, "You Always Hurt the One You Love."  True, but how unnecessary!  We sinful humans have an amazing tendency to be more nasty to people we are close to than those we aren't.  Spouses snap at each other, parents yell at their kids, and kids sass their parents.  The closer we are, the less patient we are.  Paul says be gentle, not bossy, be patient, not picky.  Christians are different because we know Christ.  But are we?  If you and I were accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict us?  "Be gentle with each other."

          (3)  "DON'T WORRY SO MUCH":  My Mom used to say worry is concern without faith.  Jesus in His Sermon on the Mount said, "Do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:31-33)   That just about covers the whole topic - we could stop right there.  But this text is not done speaking to us yet.

          Jesus also said, "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?... Do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow... Each day has enough troubles of its own." (Matthew 5:27, 34)   Worry raises blood pressure, shows little faith and consumes energy.  "Don't worry so much!"  Let God be God!  May the Lord help us all stop worrying so much!!

          (4)  "PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING":  Prayer was Paul's answer to everything, and it can be ours, too.  But we must pray about it, not just think about it.  Meditating on a problem is not praying about it.  Thinking of how you love someone is not the same as telling them.  We need to tell the ones we love, including God.  Pray about everything, and watch the peace come into your life.  Pray about it and see your day get brighter.  Prayer is a heart to heart talk with the Almighty, and He gets things done much better than we can.  "Pray about everything."

          (5)  "GOD'S PEACE WILL GO WITH YOU":  We Christians are often quick to say, "Peace be with you," especially during worship.  But do we live the peace of God?  Peace shows itself.  God's peace comes from faith and trust.  Peace helps us be patient and rejoice.  When you and I trust the Savior, then "God's peace will go with you."

          Always remember that God loves us and forgives us in Jesus!  What greater joy than to know we are forgiven, despite all we've done?  Jesus Christ came into the World to save us from our deadliest sins.  He loves us with an everlasting love that's with us each hour.  Go in peace, for you have peace with God in Jesus your Savior.  He accepts you as you are, and yet He cares enough to change you where it's needed.

          Frank had to send the letter.  He had put up with his bossy big brother Joe long enough.  From as long as he could remember, Joe had treated him like a child, and he was sick of it.  The last time they were together Joe had embarrassed him too much.  It was time to act.  Frank carefully wrote the letter, slept on it a few nights, re-wrote it and finally was ready to send it.  He addressed the envelope, stamped it and took it to the mailbox with several other letters.  Weeks went by, but there was no response.  He'd written the letter plainly - there was no way Joe could miss what he was saying.  Weeks went by, and finally Frank figured brother Joe had ignored it.

          He saw Joe later that year at Thanksgiving.  Though they had time alone, there was no mention of the letter.  But Joe did seem nicer than usual.  None of the usual "big-brother" put-downs or humiliation.  They even talked of a summer visit.  Maybe the letter did the trick, and Joe just didn't want to talk about it.  They got along well after that Thanksgiving.  Maybe it was sitting together in church on Thanksgiving Day - it was hard to say.

          The next spring Joe died of a heart attack.  He got up one morning and just keeled over.  Frank felt bad, and on that chilly spring day of the funeral as he was putting on his wool overcoat, he noticed something inside a pocket.  It was his letter to Joe - he'd never sent it!  Joe never read his words of anger and resentment.  Frank read the letter and tore it up.  Then he silently spoke a prayer of thanks the letter was lost and never sent.

          Some might say that letter should have been sent, but not all words need to be spoken.  No matter how well we write our words, some will be misunderstood.  Some old problems are best left to God.  Sometimes we need to speak the words, sometimes God will speak them.  But whatever we do, let's rejoice in the Lord!  Be gentle with each other.  Don't worry so much.  Pray about everything, and God's peace will go with you.

          Yes, our world often looks upside down.  The good are ridiculed and the bad are excused.  The best we have to offer may be resented, slapped away, and evil may seem to win.  But it will not triumph!  God will see to that.  He will settle the score!  So give your troubles, your fears, and your sadness to the Lord and let Him take care of them.  He may remove them or He may help you live with them, so as always to depend on Him.  Whatever the case, may God help us all to rejoice in the Lord, no matter how rotten the world may look.  Amen!

Copyright © 2004 by Pastor Bob Tasler.  All rights reserved.