Where is the Joy?

“A lady told me that she passed by a church in a London suburb once Sunday, a workingman said to his companion, “Look at ‘em Bill! I’ve seen a hundred or two go in there and not a single smile among ‘em!” – From “The Unknown God” by One Who Loves Him.

What we see in this small story is a picture that appears far too often. People who go to services on Sunday morning and Wednesday night who act as if all the joy has been sucked from their souls. It somehow has been replaced with a monotonous attitude. It is as if Christians have forgotten the reasons they have joy and where it is found.

We should find joy in the faithfulness of other Christians: “For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” (3 John 3-4). John found joy in hearing that Gaius was continuing in faithfulness to the church. Christians should find joy in knowing that many of our brethren are still faithful to the cause of Christ, while the world would have us act differently. Sometimes, the joy can be taken from us thinking, “I’m the only one who really cares.” This was one of the great discouragements that Elijah faced. He thought he was the only person on earth still faithful to God (1 Kings 19:10). God wanted Elijah to know there were seven thousand in Israel who had not bowed the knee to Ba’al (1 Kings 19:18). Maybe there aren’t as many as we’d like during services, even those who should be there. Find joy in those who are faithful and encourages others to faithfulness.

We should find joy in the continual blessings from God: “Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness” (Acts 14:17). Remember that God continually blesses the world with its needs. These blessings don’t just come to the faithful but to the just and the unjust (Matthew 5:45).

We should find joy in the salvation and spiritual blessings that only come through Christ: At Pentecost, after hearing a stirring sermon on the Christ, many cried out and said, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). Peter answered these by saying, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 2:38). A few moments later one would read, “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:41). Notice, these individuals heard the preaching of the message. These believed what was being preached, else why would they ask, “What shall we do?” in reference to their sins. They were willing to repent as Peter had plainly told those in attendance they had killed the Christ (Acts 2:36). This willingness to obey the commands of Christ would be a sign of confession to His Deity. They were baptized for the remission of sins. They did this “gladly” or with joy. One may also remember the Ethiopian Eunuch who, “…went on his way rejoicing” after his baptism into Christ (Acts 8:39). Don’t forget that joy that is found in the spiritual blessings that are found “in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 1:3). There’s a great joy that comes from obedience to the gospel of Christ.

Christian should always remember that sin takes away our joy: “Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.” (Psalm 51:8). It is important to remember that sin will ultimately keep us from our home in Heaven and will suck the joy out of us as it did David. Remember, David was a man “after God’s own heart” (1 Sam. 13:14) but as all men, still committed sin (Psalm 51:1). How do we find joy after sin has taken it from us? “Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.” (Psalm 51:9-13). As David did, one should seek God for forgiveness. That comes from repentance and asking for forgiveness (1 John 1:7-10). Also, keep in mind there are others are who trapped in sin and without joy in their lives. Teach them of the joy that you have in Christ so that they too might share in the happiness that only comes from Jesus.

Remember the words of the apostle Paul, who said, “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice” (Phil. 4:4). Christians have many reasons to rejoice. Don’t be as one who goes to services dreading the time you spend with faithful brethren and with God. Remember the joy that is found in Christianity. Remember that true joy is only found “in the Lord.”

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Remember, it is Not Just What You Say

It is important to understand that it is not just what we say but how we say it. Not only do people listen to the words which we use but also the tone in which we say them. Take for instance, a couple is having a dispute over who is going to wash the dishes. Finally, the wife screamed, “I WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO WASH THE DISHES FOR US!” Does she really mean it? Most likely she does not. Our tone is just as important when we use kind words. Solomon wrote, “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger” (Proverbs 15:1). Even if we say something nice, if our tone is hateful the end product will not be so great. Our tone of voice will show our true feelings on a subject. Sincerity goes a long way. While preaching on the phrase “Love the Brotherhood” found in 1 Peter 2:17, a friend spoke of Thumper from Disney’s Bambi. We remember Thumper had some not so nice words when his mother made him recite the familiar phrase, “If you can’t say nothing nice, don’t say nothing at all.” He took that phrase a step further. He said, “If you can’t say anything nice and be sincere about it, don’t say anything at all.”

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Words of Praise

That is to “express approval or commendation” or “recognizing one’s achievements.” Think of the award ceremonies aired on television on a yearly basis. These awards are given to recognize certain individuals for the hard work that has been performed through the year or a lifetime. There are just times when someone needs to be told, “You’ve done a good job.” Marshall Keeble once said, “Everyone loves to be praised, even a dog will wag its tail when you praise him.” While it is understood that members of the church should not do the works of the church for recognition of man, there is nothing wrong with giving or accepting praise. “Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips” (Proverbs 27:2). Take a moment to reflect on the members of the congregation who do so much. Think of the song leaders, those who lead in prayer, prepare or lead in the Lord’s Supper, clean the building, do maintenance work, teach classes, and the list goes on. These individuals should be praised for their good work. Let us not be like the person in the congregation who can always find a problem but never can find anything kind to say. Be willing to praise someone for their good work. “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God” (1 Thessalonians 1:2-4).

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Use Words of Encouragement

According to Wordweb encourage means “to inspire with confidence.” As one studies through the preaching of the apostles, this was part of their work. “As ye know how we dealt with each one of you, as a father with his own children, exhorting you, and encouraging you, and testifying… (1 Thessalonians 2:11; ASV). Paul even charged those of Thessalonica to do the same to the fainthearted (1 Thessalonians 5:14; ASV). There are going to be times in which we or someone we know will lack courage. The words we use in those situations will either create or kill confidence. For example, one may say, “I really need to lose weight” or “I have a bad habit I really need to quit.” There are a number of ways in which this can be handled. What will be said in this instance? “Well, you know it’s really hard. It takes a lot of commitment. Do you really think that you can do something of this magnitude?” That doesn’t inspire much confidence does it? Instead, it really dismisses the person as a failure before he has a chance doesn’t it? What about saying, “I have confidence that you will meet your goal and I will do everything I can to help you through this.” That shows your confidence in them, which inspires self confidence in that individual. The same can be applied in the church when someone who has never really been involved wants to do more for the cause of Christ. The words one uses can either inspire courage or cause it to expire. Use more words of encouragement.

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Kind Words Never Hurt

“Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me” has to be one of the biggest lies we tell ourselves. Words do, in fact, hurt. There is a great power behind the words we use. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof” (Proverbs 18:21). Notice that life and death are in the power of the tongue. With its use we can either build up or destroy. It would bring one to a remembrance of what James said of the tongue (James 3:5-10). All it takes to start a great fire is a small spark and small amount of poison can destroy the body. All it takes is one statement of hatred to do a lot of damage to a person. Words can literally make or break an individual. For instance, a child who hears nothing but negative statements his entire life from family and friends will most likely grow up to use nothing but negative statements. That child will believe things about himself that may not be true or grow up with no belief in self. Be careful even of what is said to self. One may beat himself down so much that he believes lies. “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…” (Proverbs 23:7). The best thing to do is think about what is about to be said. Is it going to hurt the individual who is before me? Even in speaking to someone who is in sin, we give “…the truth in love…” (Ephesians 4:15).