Finding Joy

      In a world bent on the pursuit of pleasure rather than truth, children of God must learn to distinguish between legitimate pleasure and sinful indulgence. We would not be tempted to sin if there were no pleasure in it (cf. Hb. 11:25). But the pleasures of sin come as a high cost.

If we would avoid making worldly pleasure our purpose in life, we must learn to find joy in serving the Lord. Do our lives testify to the presence of joy in Christian service? If not, then, this might explain our ineffectiveness in reaching out to others. The gospel is good news! Paul says, “Rejoice in the Lord always and again I will say rejoice!” (Ph. 4:4). The fruit of the Spirit includes joy (Gal. 5:22).

Where do we find joy? Joy is a by-product of our relationship with Jesus. All spiritual blessings are “in Christ” (Eph. 1:3). Christian joy is a spiritual blessing. Therefore, one must be “in Christ” to experience true joy. As long as we are on the outside looking in, we will find joy an elusive dream.

Joy is the result of following God’s plan. It is characteristic of a life that reaches out beyond our own personal interests and seeks the well-being of others (Ph. 2:3-4). Jesus reminds us that “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

Joy is enhanced by the common love we have for one another in Christ. It is anchored in our hope of heaven – a place of eternal joy in the presence of God.

At the end of his laborious struggle to find meaning in life, Solomon came to understand that the whole duty of man is to “fear God and keep His commandments” (Eccl. 12:13). This is the key to joy: realizing that our purpose in life is to please our Maker.

Seek God first. Learn to tell the difference between sinful and legitimate pleasure. Get busy serving God and following after His commands. These are the things that make life a joy.

~Glen Eliot