Marked by Joy

The growth of Christianity in the 1st Century was remarkable. The early church was shockingly different from the rest of society in how they lived, their love for one another, and how they cared for the downtrodden or outcasts of society. Everything I have seen or read about this era leaves me with the distinct impression there was very little to feel a sense of peace, hope or joy about. Most of the early churches were made up of slaves or people ostracized for their faith, by their families and former subculture.

Yet despite the conditions of death, disease, high taxation, and fear of government persecution the early church was marked by joy. This joy was fully rooted in the knowledge of their new condition, new acceptance, new master, new status and new standing with God through Jesus Christ. They had the knowledge that in God’s economy that they were free from bondage to sin, no longer doomed to eternal suffering, and no longer strangers or aliens to God. But now they were partakers of a glorious hope; joint heirs with Christ and heavenly sons and daughters.

The Greek word most frequently used for joy in the New Testament is CHARA which means cheerfulness, calm, delight, gladness, great (or exceeding) rejoicing or happiness. So if this is the mark of a believer and we share with them the same standing with God why are we often so unhappy? Why do we see so many joyless believers in the body of Christ?

In his song “Know You in the Now” singer/songwriter Michael Card sings; “Could You tell me why, Was if for this you came and died, A once a week observance when we coldly mouth your words…” Do we sing songs like “There is Joy in Serving Jesus” or “The Joy of the Lord is My Strength” through clenched teeth? Is the joy of our salvation evident in our daily interaction with both our fellow believers and those who have not accepted Christ? Is our lack of calm, happiness or cheerfulness written all over our faces when we face adversity or challenging circumstances?

There is a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance so please don’t misunderstand what I am trying to say. I am not advocating that believers should just screw on a happy face or mask our pain just to keep up appearances. There is real pain and suffering in this world and some experience it in a higher degree than others so I am not trying to minimize that in the least. But can we echo the Psalmist in Psalm 30:5 and despite our sadness recognize that joy comes in the morning because of who God is and what He has done for us. He has solved the greatest dilemma we will ever have to deal with in the person and work of His Son, Jesus Christ.

There is a distinct difference between real sorrow and grief and a lack of joy because of discontentment or discouragement with God’s will and God’s sovereign plan. I think this quote captures the idea far better than I can articulate it:

“Discouragement is dissatisfaction with the past, distaste for the present, and distrust of the future. It is ingratitude for the blessings of yesterday, indifference to the opportunities of today, and insecurity regarding strength for tomorrow. It is unawareness of the presence of beauty, unconcern for the needs of our fellowman, and unbelief in the promises of old. It is impatience with time, immaturity of thought, and impoliteness to God.” -- Dr. William A Ward

If we are called to have this mind in us which was in Christ Jesus…who for the joy…endured the cross and despised the shame, why shouldn’t our lives be marked by joy. The Bible Expositor’s Commentary states this about Hebrews 12:2; “Jesus went to the Cross because of the joy it would bring. He looked right through the Cross to the coming joy, the joy of bringing salvation to those He loves.”

Joy is infectious and it draws the world to Christ like a moth to a flame. If they see those who have allegedly changed by the Gospel walking around dispirited, grouchy, grumpy and joyless more times than they ought why would they want what we have? Joylessness is already their current condition so why would they want more of the same? If your life in Christ is not marked by joy, maybe you should ask yourself why not? In Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead and we are complete in Him, (Col 2:9-10), what more can we ask for that He has not already given…

"But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you." ~ Psalm 5:11