Love rejoices in goodness to others.

“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15 ESV).

This verse is part of a larger passage in which the apostle Paul provides guidance for believers on how to live in harmony with one another and serve God with sincerity and love.

Empathy and Compassion

The verse speaks to the importance of empathy and compassion in the Christian community. It calls on believers to share in the joys and sorrows of their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. This reflects the overarching theme of love and unity that runs throughout the New Testament.

The image of rejoicing and weeping with one another portrays the idea of believers as being united in a spiritual family, bound together by their common faith in Jesus Christ.

Rejoice in Goodness?

The Bible tells us to “rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15). Have you noticed that the second part of that sentence is easy, but the first part can be really tough?

When somebody’s having a tough time, it’s easy to be sympathetic. It’s easy to encourage people when they’re down. But sometimes what we can’t stand is when they get a promotion.

Share in the Joy

If a brother or sister is rejoicing over something wonderful that has happened, we should share in that joy. We are members of the same body—we are family. We should take joy in that which brings our brothers and sisters joy.

We’re not very good at handling the success of other people. Rather than rejoicing in it, we resent it. In fact, we wish bad things would happen to people, because somehow we think that if we can blow out somebody else’s candle, ours will shine brighter.

Rejoice in God’s Amazing Grace

There’s plenty of God’s grace to go around. If God wants to pay other people the same amount, so what? I shouldn’t even worry about what he wants to give other people. I should worry about what I’m doing with what I’ve been given.

Family and Friends

Envy happens close to you. It happens in your relationship with your peers. You don’t typically envy people who aren’t your peers. You can have some kind of idol worship that says, “I wish I were like that superstar.” But really, it’s not as grating as the people closest to you. Those are the people you have the hardest time seeing success in — your family and friends.

Envy is insidious. It devalues others, it destroys relationships, and it makes you miserable. It’s hidden, but it’s destructive. And it causes you to miss out on so much joy.

Blessings, not Curses

You’ll enjoy life a whole lot more if you will learn to be happy over the successes of other people. Speak Blessings over them—Not Curses!

If you’re only happy when things go well for you, you’re going to be miserable most of your life, because things won’t always go well for you or anybody else. But if you learn to be happy at other people’s successes and enjoy other people’s celebrations, you can be happy all the time.

Celebrate God’s Goodness

The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 13:4, “Love does not envy.” Envy is the most unloving thing you can do to somebody else. Love is not envious.

Love celebrates God’s goodness to others. Read 1 Thess.  5:16-19 for God’s will for you.

Amen.

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