1 John
1:4 “We are writing these things so that
our joy may be complete.”
I
read a story about two laborers working on some street improvement in front of
a church one Sunday morning. After watching the people filing in for the
Worship Service, one of them said to the other, “You know, I’ve seen one or two
hundred people go into that church, and I haven’t seen a single smile on any
one of their faces.” That is tragic indeed.
The
Gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of joy, as well as of grace, peace, and
love. The Webster’s dictionary defines the word “joy” as: Gayety; mirth;
festivity. Happiness; felicity. A glorious and triumphant state. To rejoice; to
be glad; to exult. Habakkuk 3:18 says, “Yet
I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.” At
the birth of Christ, the angels said to the shepherds that they brought good
tidings of great joy. The Apostle Paul says in Galatians 5:22-25 “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no
law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with
its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in
the Spirit.”
Pastor
Kennedy asks: “Are our lives typified by joy? In looking at some people’s
faces, you wouldn’t think that they had much joy. They seem often to frown and
be sullen and unhappy and show little of the joy of Christ in their
countenance. Some people seen like the only experience that they have had is
the fleeting temporal passion or emotion excited
by the acquisition or expectation of good; that excitement of pleasurable
feelings which is caused by success, good fortune, the gratification of desire
or some good possessed, instead of the transforming wondrous and lasting
joy of Jesus Christ.
Nehemiah
8:10b “For this day
is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is
your strength.”
I
remember back when I used to teach Sunday School at our church’s elementary
school age class. One young lady told me the meaning of “joy”. If you want to
experience more joy, remember this simple formula: J-O-Y means Jesus first, Others second, and Yourself
last.
Lord,
give us the strength for today to put Jesus first and others second. God of
joy, thank you for giving us so much joy all around us and joy within us. Let
your joy overflow unto all the people around us today and thank you the joy of
heaven forever.
Blessings.
No comments:
Post a Comment