Experiencing Joy in the Christian Life

Christian author C. S. Lewis titled his autobiography Surprised by Joy. He believed that joy was a key part of the Christian life, one too often neglected.

Joy is something we all long for but that often seems difficult to grab hold of. Experiencing joy should be a part of every Christian’s life.  Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, produced by God’s work in us, and it is part of God’s will for us. (See Galatians 5:22-23) but can often seem elusive for Christians.  Before exploring how we can experience joy in the Christian life, we must first recognize that joy is not based on circumstances.  In fact, joy may not even prevent us from experiencing negative emotions.  Rather, joy is a deep-seated sense of happiness in what God has done and what He is doing.  The Greek word for "joy" is related to the Greek word for "grace."  Actually, joy is a grace granted to us by God.  So how can we accept and experience the gift of joy?

We know that even the most mature of God’s people experience periods of joylessness.  For instance, Job wished he had never been born. (See Job 3:11)  Elijah, even after defeating 450 prophets of Baal with fire called down from heaven (See 1 Kings 18:16–46), fled into the desert and asked God to take his life. (See 1 Kings 19:3–5)  The Psalms display this truth beautifully.  David poured out his complaints to God.  He did not deny the hardships of life, his depression, his hurt, or his disappointment.  Yet by the end of each psalm, he generally seemed encouraged. (See for example: Psalm 7; 13; 16; 18)  If these men struggled, how can we experience consistent joy in the Christian life?   

When we voice our concerns and allow ourselves to be reminded of the goodness of God, we release our burdens.  Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)  Joy is both a gift of God as well as a response to the gifts of God.  Joy comes when we are aware of God’s grace and delight in His kindness.  We can experience joy when we give our problems to Jesus.  He helps carry our heavy load and reminds us of who He is.

The book of Philippians has much to say about joy, even though Paul wrote this letter from prison.  Paul writes, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-7) We give our burdens to God through prayer and do so with thanksgiving.

But we don't stop there.  Paul goes on to say, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-- think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)  After we have given our requests to God, we attain a proper perspective.  We think on things that are pure, admirable, and praiseworthy.  We do not live in our heartache but on the goodness of God and the beauty He instills into our lives.   

Here we see the importance of praising God, remembering that He is near, praying about our worries, and keeping our minds focused on the good things of God.  We can experience joy when we intentionally praise.  David wrote that the study of God’s Word can bring us joy. (Psalm 19:8)  We experience joy by communing with God through prayer.  And we experience joy by keeping our focus on godly things rather than on difficult circumstances.

So you see Christian joy is NOT simply a happy-go-lucky attitude despite what I am going through; nor is it simply optimism for the future.  It is not even mere happiness in present circumstances that are good. These are all counterfeits to what real Christian joy is, not that these things are necessarily wrong, they just aren’t to be confused with genuine Christian joy because even a non-Christian can have these things.  Likewise, Christian joy is not incompatible with sorrow and grief.  You see, the opposite fruit of joy is not sorrow as one would think.  Rather the opposite of the fruit of joy is hopelessness/despair.

Christian joy is much deeper and more profound than these things.  It truly is a fruit that can only be produced by the Holy Spirit and that only Christians can have it.  Simply put, Christian joy is rooted in the good news of the person and work of Jesus Christ and is produced in us by the Holy Spirit through faith in God’s Word.

Jesus tells us, “Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.” (John 16:22)  Jesus was originally speaking about His death and resurrection appearances.  They had great sorrow when Jesus was in the grave but then He rose from the dead on the third day and appeared to His disciples and they rejoiced greatly to see Him face to face once again, risen victorious over the grave.  And Jesus gave them His Spirit so that no one would ever be able to take their joy from them. (See John 20:22)

Joy is meant to be a hallmark of the Christian life.  It is a fruit of the Holy Spirit and a gift of God.  We best receive this gift when we focus on the truth of who God is, commune with Him through prayer, and rely on the community of believers He has provided.

There’s something you want, we all want.  In fact, our hearts ache for it.  Some of us realize it sooner than others. Unfortunately, some of us never realize it at all.  It’s joy.  It’s fulfillment.  It’s a pleasure and contentment and peace, an unending spring of living water that runs deep within our very being.  Begin by giving your life completely over to Jesus, accepting His gift of grace.  When you truly abide in Him, you will know the richness of His joy.

“If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:10-11)

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God has made it possible for you to know Him, and experience an amazing
change in your own life.

Discover how you can find peace with God.

 

What Does the Bible Really Say About Homosexuality?

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”  (2 Corinthians 5:17-20)

I would like to look at this subject a bit deeper than just a “pat” answer to a complex topic.  Rather than simply reading my post I would recommend you do further study on this issue and read the scriptures I have listed below.  Please consider carefully what I am saying here for I wish to speak not only of the things that make everyone feel good but help you to grasp the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27) that you yourselves would become better equipped to read your Bibles intelligently and comprehensively.   

Homosexuality is one of the most divisive issues in American culture.  What does the Bible say on this controversial and emotional issue?  It is not my intention to treat fully the many biblical texts on the subject.  My goal is simply to review what the Bible says about homosexuality, as clearly and concisely as possible.  When considering the principles of biblical interpretation, we must seek the intended meaning of the text as understood in its original context.

June 27, 2003 was the day the Supreme Court made history and struck down the “sodomy laws” of the state of Texas.  The justices reversed course from a ruling that states could punish homosexuals for private consensual sex.  Such activity is typically called “sodomy.”  In some people’s minds, being homosexual is as much outside one’s control as the color of your skin and your height.  On the other hand, the Bible clearly and consistently declares that homosexual activity is a sin. (See Genesis 19:1–13; Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Romans 1:26–27; 1 Corinthians 6:9)  This disconnect leads to much controversy, debate, and even hostility.

When examining what the Bible says about homosexuality, it is important to distinguish between homosexual behavior and homosexual inclinations or attractions.  It is the difference between active sin and the passive condition of being tempted.  Homosexual behavior is sinful, but the Bible never says it is a sin to be tempted.  Simply stated, a struggle with temptation may lead to sin, but the struggle itself is not a sin.

A person may be born with a greater susceptibility to homosexuality, just as some people are born with a tendency to violence and other sins.  That does not excuse the person’s choosing to sin by giving in to sinful desires.  Just because a person is born with a greater susceptibility to fits of rage, that doesn’t make it right for him to give in to those desires and explode at every provocation.  The same is true with a susceptibility to homosexuality. 

The problem with homosexual attraction is that it is an attraction to something God has forbidden, and any desire for something sinful ultimately has its roots in sin.  So, homosexual attraction does not always result in active, willful sin—there may not be a conscious choice to sin—but it springs from the sinful nature.  Same-sex attraction is always, on some basic level, an expression of the fallen nature.

The temptation to engage in homosexual behavior is very real to many.  People may not always be able to control how or what they feel, but they can control what they do with those feelings. (See 1 Peter 1:5–8)  We all have the responsibility to resist temptation. (See Ephesians 6:13) We must all be, “transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (See Romans 12:2) We must all “walk by the Spirit” so as not to “gratify the desires of the flesh.” (See Galatians 5:16)

Finally, the Bible does not describe homosexuality as a sin “greater” than any other.  All sin is offensive to God.  Without Christ, we are lost, whatever type of sin has entangled us.  According to the Bible, God’s forgiveness is available to the homosexual just as it is to the adulterer, idol worshiper, murderer, and thief.  

So, what does the Bible really say about homosexuality?

Allow me to list several scriptures about the subject.  Although not exhaustive, they will give a basic picture of how God looks at this topic.   All verses quoted here are from the NIV: 

“Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.” (Leviticus 18:22)

“If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable.” (Leviticus 20:13)

“Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)

“They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator-- who is forever praised. Amen. Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.” (Romans 1:26-27)

Homosexuality is clearly condemned in the Bible.  It undermines God's created order where He made Adam and Eve, a man and a woman, to carry out His command to fill and subdue the earth. (See Genesis 1:28)  Homosexuality cannot fulfill that mandate.  Also, homosexuality undermines the basic family unit of husband and wife which is the God-ordained means of procreation.  Again, homosexuality cannot do that.

The only hope for all people who break God's laws, as well as the homosexual, is to turn to Christ.  The One who took our sins upon Himself on the cross (See 1 Peter 2:24), died and rose from the dead. (See 1 Corinthians 15:1-4)  Jesus made it possible for sinners to be saved from the righteous judgment of God.  They need only trust in what Jesus did on their behalf (See 2 Corinthians 5:21), so they can be forgiven of their sins. (See Ephesians 2:8)  This is done by receiving Christ (See John 1:12), by believing in Him and accepting His sacrifice that is a payment for our sins to God the Father. 

God promises the strength for victory over sin, including homosexuality, to all those who will believe in Jesus Christ for their salvation. (See 1 Corinthians 6:11; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Philippians 4:13)

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

Can God change your life?

God has made it possible for you to know Him, and experience an amazing
change in your own life.

Discover how you can find peace with God.