Craig commented recently that joy should be a factor in our obedience and in our lives. Scripture says that Jesus was able to endure the cross because of joy (Heb 12:2). The Bible says that joy is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22). Jesus said He said the things He said "so that they may have My joy made full in themselves" (John 17:13). And, of course, Paul commanded us to "rejoice always" (1 Thess 5:16). I'm sensing a common thread here.
How is that working ... for you? How is your "joy level"? Jesus came to give us the abundant life (John 10:10). Did you receive yours? Sometimes I think that we Christians aren't the best examples of joyful people. Sometimes I think we are, in fact, pretty poor specimens of joyful Christians. Why is that? Do we conclude that Jesus failed? No, of course not. Do we assume it's not for us? That would be ridiculous. So, what? What's the hold up here? I would guess that you know already. It's us.
The Beatitudes (Matt 5:2-12) are a series of blessings for people in hard circumstances. "Rejoice and be glad," Jesus said, "for your reward in heaven is great" (Matt 5:12). I suspect that's our problem. We're not in favor of delayed gratification. We're not looking to "a better possession and a lasting one" (Heb 10:34). We don't desire "a better country, that is, a heavenly one" (Heb 11:16). In short, we don't, in purely practical terms, believe that God is the rewarder of those who seek Him (Heb 11:6). To our shame. We have been supplied with all we need with a promise of even more. Let's not be a Peter looking at the storms around us rather than looking at the joy set before us. It's not a good look.
I also think there's been a loss in the understanding what joy is. I honestly don't know if I'm joyful. Culturally we make joy and happiness equal, but anyone that's studied Scripture long enough knows they aren't synonyms. Am I happy, certainly not, but am I joyful? I don't know how to answer that since I'm not exactly sure what that looks like.
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ReplyDeleteJoy is a great example of my knowing what I should do, and not doing it. For the most part my obedience to YHWH is grudging and my response to His gifts is matter of fact. I try to practice gratitude, and usually do pretty well it it, yet I wouldn't say it's full of joy.
Really good post.
I think, David, that, at the very least, joy would be a positive rather than fear, sadness, dismay, etc. Do I have a positive or, at least, peaceful outlook, or am I stressed and upset? I agree that we have a hard time in our heads distinguishing between our world's "happy" and biblical "joy," but I know I've seen it in some Christians and I know it's very attractive.
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