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.”