Christianity is a life of joy. The word joy appears sixty-three times in our New Testament. When we think of New Testament joy, our minds naturally go to Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi. There, joy is referred to eleven times in four chapters.
Webster defines joy as an experience of great pleasure, gladness, cheerfulness, peace, calmness, tranquility, delight. Happiness is dependent upon externals: What happens with us, to us, around us, while joy is an internal quality based upon our beliefs and convictions. Happiness is fleeting. It comes and goes dependent upon our circumstance and situation, while joy stays with us regardless of the circumstance and situation.
For the child of God, joy is the “settled assurance” that God is in control of all things at all times. This assurance gives us confidence that ultimately everything, all things, are going to work out to our good, to our benefit, to our betterment.
Consider some reasons for our Christian Joy
Joy in our forgiveness: I always wondered what an atheist does with His or her sins. Guilt, what a burden! But as Christians, we have no guilt. We have been forgiven, redeemed. “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” “If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (Ephesians 1.7). (1 John 1.7 & 9).
Joy in our strength: We hear the prophet say: “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8.10). Nehemiah had led some of Israel from “comfortable captivity” into an uncomfortable situation. When we are there, it’s the joy of doing God’s will that drives and sustains us. Here it is Tanner, obedience to God, tempered with a continual dependence upon His providential help, brings an inexpressible joy!
Joy is a choice we make. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace (the joy) of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4.4-7). Paul is saying that joy is a decision we make. James says: “Count it, consider it pure joy, my brothers” (James 1.2).
So… The question becomes:
Have we made the decision to be a joyous person, people, church?
Have we accepted Jesus as our Lord, not just our Savior?
Are we allowing God’s presence to regulate our life?
Are we demonstrating joy even in suffering?
Is the joy of the Lord our strength because we are living in obedience to Him?
Are we producing the fruit of the Spirit – Joy?