You Know What Else Is Commanded?

As an old country preacher put it, “Some Christians are so sour you’d think they were baptized in pickle
juice.” Now we may be quick to dismiss this as just some person's attitude and that is just the way we are, except the Bible commands us to do something different:

Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. Philippians 3:1

Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 2^nd Corinthians 13:11

Rejoice always; 1^st Thessalonians 5:16

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Philippians 4:4

Now with any other command, if we didn’t do it, we say it was wrong, or if we said it didn’t apply, we argue it does, or if we are told to do it, and we do something else, we say it was an error, so why do we think it is ok to not rejoice and have a souring disposition.

The word rejoice, as it was used in these passages, means ‘to be full of cheer’. If we are a stick in the mud that brings down every person we come across, are we doing that? We should be a glad people, not a grumpy one.

"Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; …”

Matthew 5:12

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