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.)
Jesus wants us to have His joy. In John 17:13, He said, “These things I speak in the world, that they might have My joy fulfilled in themselves.” Surprisingly, perhaps even shockingly, one of “these things” that brings joy is hatred. Hatred? How can this be? John 15:18-25 is unabashedly clear on this point: we can expect the hatred of the world. Jesus, God the Son, was hated yet retained the fullness of joy that He had always possessed. Because the world system is evil, it is not interested in joy and hates anyone who is joyful. This hatred of the world for God and His people becomes another confirmation that He is always right and that His way is ever the best. John 17:14 echoes John 15:18-25 … and it comes immediately after our key verse about Jesus’ joy being fulfilled in us. Let us not become hateful people, but let us also not be daunted by hateful attacks upon our faith. Jesus said that this hatred would continue until He returns, but His joy will never end.