Join in the Joy
Through the years, I have frequently preached about joy. It is more than an emotion (although it includes emotion); rather, it is a settled attitude, a stable and sturdy approach to life that focuses us on the things that matter now and forever. Joy is much greater and much more powerful than happiness, which is event or circumstance driven. There is nothing wrong with happiness. It is certainly better than unhappiness. Also, we have different personalities. For example, my wife is happy-go-lucky. Of course, she has every reason to be, being married to me. However, not everyone can be married to me. We need something more substantial than happiness; that something is joy. (I will be using this opening paragraph for each of the brief messages in this series. The following material will change daily.)
God’s commands are always the right things to do and are always good for us. Thus, when Romans 12:15 says, “Rejoice with them that do rejoice,” we can be certain that such joy is good for everyone involved. We saw an example of this truth from the life of the Apostle Paul in Romans 15:32. Another similar example is found in II Corinthians 7:13. The larger context is interesting and instructive. The church at Corinth was struggling to follow God’s commands, and Paul had written a severe rebuke to them (II Corinthians 2:4). Paul entrusted this letter (which we do not have in the Bible) to Titus for delivery. Now, Paul was not one to foist an unpleasant task onto someone else; he simply could not return to Corinth at that time. We catch the note of relief in Paul when Titus brings back the good news that the Corinthian church, although still troubled, was listening to Paul and trying to do what was right. Paul’s heartfelt conclusion in verse 16 responds to their spiritual sensitivity and growth: “I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things.” Paul, Titus, others ministering with Paul (verse 13 “we” includes at least Timothy – see II Corinthians 1:1), and the Corinthians were all sharing in the joy of God’s goodness; specifically, they were joyful regarding spiritual growth. Let us all understand that such development is not easy, nor is it a given. It is a good gift from God that must be received and opened. May we, like parents and children on Christmas morn, eagerly enjoy the presents found in God’s presence, including mutual movement to maturity in the Messiah, Jesus Christ.