Life-Joyful
1 Thessalonians 5:14-18 (ESV) 14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle,[c] encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
As I write this, we are in the midst of great persecution as Christians. This is nothing new under the sun mind you. One could make a strong case, historically, that what we face today is nothing but a drop in the bucket compared to what the church faced in its first 300 years. Yet, that is in no way meant to dismiss what the Church is going through today. We see case after case after case of believers being beaten, executed, having their homes and churches burned to the ground, and their voices being silenced violently.It is downright scary to wonder what the future may look like. I immediately think of that saying that “It will only get worse before it gets better.” And yet, in the midst of all of this, this is exactly what the enemy desires of us. DISTRACTION!
When you are so fully concerned about the state of the world and the state of the church, you miss out on the most critical aspect of our faith that is right under our noses. That a perfect God came down to imperfect people to pay the penalty they are due for their sin.
Joy…plain, beautiful, unbelievable and unrestricted joy brothers and sisters. In all situations and all scenarios! To seek JOY first and foremost. What is joy though? We hear about it and see the word used flippantly in advertising, movies, music, conversations. We immediately think of that cliché perfect scene with a husband and wife curled up with a cup of coffee on a cold winter morning. They smile, sip their Caribou Coffee (not a sponsor), lean on one another and then it fades to black. The perfect scene right? Wrong…
In that scene there are two totally imperfect people sitting next to each other. Two flawed people in desperate need of a Savior. What that commercial doesn’t tell you are the fights, the sins they commit, the guilt and shame they hide. They are people. It comes with the job.
Joy my friends, is something far deeper than that. Happiness is fleeting. Joy is a state that comes solely from God. It is a fruit of His Spirit given to those who are sealed by the covenant of Christ! Joy cannot be taken. Joy cannot fade! Look at the Scripture. The Apostle Paul writes to the church in Thessalonica regarding a great many situations and then closes with a power statement. “Rejoice ALWAYS.” Rejoice…seeking to be joyful! In all things. In the losses. In the heartbreak. In the sickness and death. In persecution. In fear. In shame. In guilt. In anxiety. In victory. In celebration. In unity. In cohesion. Seek Joy!
The source of Joy for a believer is simple. Calling upon the name of the God who saved you. Meditating on His most beautiful name. Aligning yourself to His will. Resting in His presence. Preaching His Gospel to yourself every single day. Crying Holy Holy Holy to the Lamb!
The world is very much against God, and as a result, against us. This is truth, plain and simple. I won’t sugar coat that. Yet, what empowers us and delivers peace in the face of it?
They can do absolutely nothing to steal your joy. They may break our minds and bodies. Yet they are not greater than Christ. Be uplifted brothers and sisters! In the face of the battles
remind yourself of this…
Christ already won the war.
Soli Deo Gloria!!!!
