Philippians 1:25
“Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith”.
A very big theme in christianity is joy. 2 Corinthians 1:24 says, “Not that we domineer over your faith, but we are workers with you for your joy; for in your faith you are standing firm”. Paul says that they are workers for their joy. I’ve heard a pastor say that he was a joy helper. I love that. Today’s verse is similar.
In my religious upbringing I didn’t reflect much joy. In fact, being somber seemed to be more spiritual. They seemed to glory in misery. I can picture the expressions. Yes, the scripture says to “glory in your tribulations” (Romans 5:3), that’s quite different than choosing misery. It isn’t more spiritual. Nor should we be trying to impress anyone about our spirituality.
Joy is a fruit of the Spirit. We get it by Christ’s indwelling. They are God’s traits first. The first few are “love, joy, peace”. Those are God’s traits that He seeks to instill in us. Ezekiel 36:26 says, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” He puts a heart that desires the things He desires. An orange tree grows oranges because that’s it’s nature. We bear the fruit of the Spirit because that our new nature.
It’s hard to see God as joyful. Maybe a definition is needed. It isn’t being giddy, but a deep flowing contented, positive feeling. It’s deeper than a feeling. We can be joyful, even when sad. Some of the artist renditions of God are harsh. Knowing God is joyful takes that edge off. He is holy and will punish sin, yet still joyful.
As I mentioned my religious training as a youth wasn’t completely accurate. It pictured God as harsh. It would have been helpful to know that God is joyful. Much life would have been infused into my understanding. I had much compulsion to do God’s will, at least what I thought was God’s will. He didn’t want those guilty, forced thoughts. Quite the opposite of joy.
God gives us joy, He wants us to abide in it. Jesus said in John 15:11, “I have told you these things so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.” Emotions go up and down like a buoy on a wave, but joy can be constant.
The bible warns us to remain in God and His fruit. Doubt, greed and other sinful thoughts and ways will diminish God’s joy. 2 Corinthians 10:5 says, “We tear down arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” Don’t let sinful thoughts abide. Bad results happen, along with the removal of joy.
This is great news. Who doesn’t want to be happy all the time. But joy is better than happiness. Just as emotions go up and down, so do circumstances. Some are great, some are bad and all the ones in between. Joy isn’t tied to circumstances. I think of persecuted Paul, writing this from prison. He is trying to increase everyones joy while in prison.
We should be joy helpers. Before Christ, we were self seeking. In Christ we should be joy helpers. I was examining my heart yesterday and was saddened by some thoughts. They were envious. I wanted to insert myself. This isn’t new. I’ve always had this. Yesterday I saw how repulsive it was. Change my heart, oh God.
The amazing thing about God is that He has always seen my envy, yet He loved me. I’m in my early sixties and I’m just seeing this. I’m sure there are other thoughts that are unpleasant that He will bring to my knowledge at another time. But He patiently loved me. Let’s get back to joy.
Lord, thank You for Your joy. I’m blessed to know that You are joyful. Thank You for wanting us to be joyful and filling us with it. Keep us from sin. Thank You for being a Father and a Shepherd.