May your joy overflow: Philippians 1:9-11

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And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ — to the glory and praise of God.
Too many people have the wrong idea about what it means to be a Christian. The Bible, they say, is too negative, with all those lists of don't do this and don't do that, and if you do this then you are sure to burn in hell.

Even people who try to highlight the good things of Christianity get it wrong. Now, I didn't spend but a minute googling the "wrong view of Christianity," but the first place I landed was this list from ChrismaNews called "What's Right and Wrong With American Christianity." The author starts off by listing only eight things American Christians have done "right," then provides 12 they have done "wrong." And honestly, if you ask me, he didn't even get the eight things right, before finally concluding ...
The bad news is that the list of negatives can go on. The good news is that American history has been marked by great awakenings and revivals, and if ever we needed one, it is now.
Now, this post isn't to quibble with his lists. It is merely to note that far too many people have the wrong idea of what it means to be a Christian.

Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, does an exemplary job giving us the right idea. As I read Philippians today, I noticed something unique: with exception to a few words used for contrast, Paul doesn't have any don't do lists. He does warn us about legalism, that we should not base our standing before God on "who I am and how I live" (Philippians 3:2-6), but otherwise he hammers home the joy of being a believer in Christ.

As the authors of "Called by the Gospel" put it, the theme of Philippians is, fellowship in the Gospel gives joy in the Lord and leads to thinking like Jesus. Fellowship, or koinonia, produces compassionate, faithful love that helps God do all the work of changing us. Philippians is rich in this language and of beautiful reminders of what it really means to be a Christian. 
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. (Philippians 2:1-2)

And ... Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things. (Philippians 4:8)
Too often, Christians, including myself, forget Paul's reminder to the Philippians: To remember who Jesus is and what he has done (Philippians 2:6-11). Rejoice, Paul proclaims (Philippians 3:1), and then rejoice again (Philippians 4:4). Be thankful (Philippians 4:6). And remember one of the secrets to being a Christian (Philippians 4:13).

Most of all, just believe!

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