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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