o°o°o°~Christian Joy~o°o°o°


•••written by Louis Rushmore•••

Mankind often seeks joys, pleasures, gratification, happiness and even thrills. It is not wrong to enjoy life on earth. Pleasure becomes sinful, though, when the activity from which one derives joy is itself sinful (e.g., adultery, alcohol) or when a right activity is abused (e.g., eating, sleeping). Something not itself sinful can also become sinful if family, employment or Christian responsibilities are neglected to seek pleasure (e.g., recreation, hobbies).

The ways in which Christians may find joy in life are nearly as numerous as people themselves;
I find great joy in my family and I also enjoy writing, computers, model railroading and woodworking.
However, besides the earthly joys Christians (or other people, too) may know, there are joys which only Christians can experience (Romans 14:17-18).

Among the joys enjoyed exclusively by Christians is the joy that arises from the forgiveness of sins.

We, as well as all other Christians, can "rejoice in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:3) because through Jesus our sins have been taken away (Acts 22:16).

Further, through the blood of Jesus our sins are continually forgiven (Acts 8:22; 1 John 1:7-9; 2:1).
Another joy experienced by Christians alone is fellowship with God and fellow Christians.
This call is an unending call into the fellowship of Christ and other Christians that must ever be answered by 'walking in the light' (1 John 1:7). The lack of fellowship with God is looked on with uttermost disgust.

All troubles and even earthly joys pale in view of fellowship with God and His children.

The avenue of prayer to God is also a joy that belongs exclusively to Christians. Sinners do not have the privilege of conversing with God through prayer (John 9:31); "He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination" (Proverbs 28:9). God does, though, hear "the prayer of the righteous" What immeasurable joy it is to realize that we may always, anywhere talk to God.

The chief possible joy, again available only to the faithful children of God, will be eternal life in heaven in the very presence of God Himself.

At the Great Final Judgment we long to hear addressed to us the words: "enter thou into the joy of thy lord" (Matthew 25:21, 23). Jesus described this joy as "mansions" in heaven (John 14:1-3), whereas Paul, James and John spoke of the commencement of this supernal joy as a "crown of life" (2 Timothy 4:7-8; James 1:12; Revelation 2:10). Certainly this is incomparable joy unending!

Present and future joys reserved for Christians alone far outweigh sufferings in this life (Romans 8:18), "the pleasures of sin for a season" (Heb. 11:25) and even the temporal joys one may experience on earth. Christian joy has a solid basis, is enduring and is sufficient to carry us through earthly habitations to celestial shores. Christian joy, oh how precious!


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