Thursday, August 31, 2017

What or Who Does Your Joy Depend Upon?



These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. —John 15:11

{CHAMBERS} “What was the joy that Jesus had? […] The joy of Jesus was His absolute self-surrender and self-sacrifice to His Father— the joy of doing that which the Father sent Him to do— “…who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross…” (Hebrews 12:2). “I delight to do Your will, O my God…” (Psalm 40:8). Jesus prayed that our joy might continue fulfilling itself until it becomes the same joy as His. Have I allowed Jesus Christ to introduce His joy to me? Living a full and overflowing life does not rest in bodily health, in circumstances, nor even in seeing God’s work succeed, but in the perfect understanding of God, and in the same fellowship and oneness with Him that Jesus Himself enjoyed. But the first thing that will hinder this joy is the subtle irritability caused by giving too much thought to our circumstances. Jesus said, “…the cares of this world,…choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful” (Mark 4:19). And before we even realize what has happened, we are caught up in our cares. […] Stop being hypocritical and proud, aware only of yourself, and live “your life…hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). […] The lives that have been the greatest blessing to you are the lives of those people who themselves were unaware of having been a blessing.”

{ELGIN} The mark of a spiritually mature Christian is not that they never smile, but wear a face of gloom.  There is nothing sinful about being happy.  But God is not primarily concerned with our being happy or having the cravings of our flesh satisfied.  Instead, He wants us to find our worth and joy in our relationship with Him.  The Shorter Catechism asks “What is the chief end of man?” , “To glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”  Our relationship with God through Jesus by His Spirit is supposed to be primary.  The motivation for every other aspect of our lives.  Unfortunately we often relegate God to second place and put ourselves in first place.  Our three great commandments.  Love ourselves, love God but not if it gets in the way of the first, and then love others so long as they don’t cause us problems. Does that sound cynical?  I am afraid it is reality for many.  You can read devotionals, like this, read the Bible every day, never miss a service at your local church, but if you don’t apply it to your life, you are merely embracing a philosophy that has not practical value in your life.  You must not only embrace the Truth but yield your life to the Truth. Do you find your fulfillment in this life in who you are in Christ or are you trusting on other, worldly things to bring fulfillment?  Look, all of us struggle with this.  We are but  jars of clay. (2 Corinthians 4:7-9) When we trust in ourselves and what the world has to offer, we settle for much less than what God has purposed for us.  This life is full of disappointments giving us plenty of opportunity to be discouraged. (Psalm 43:5) “Why are you in despair [why be downcast], O my soul? And why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.”  We live in a fallen, sin-sick world.  But as Christians, [our] hope is built on nothing less than Jesus and His righteousness.  On Christ the solid rock [we] stand, all other ground is sinking sand!

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