Christian joy is the delight produced by the Holy Spirit experienced by all who have been redeemed. It is the state of satisfaction that comes from owning God as our highest treasure.
The call to joy is overwhelming in the Holy Scriptures. God’s people are exhorted to rejoice constantly and in various ways. In reality, Christian joy, far from being an option, is a must for every believer: «Rejoice in the Lord always. I’ll say it again: rejoice!” (Phil 4:4).
In the Old Testament, the prophets and psalmists spoke and exhorted the people to joy. It is striking to note that almost all the writers of the New Testament epistles speak of Christian joy. Paul, Peter, John, and James wrote of joy in different ways.
Even our Lord emphasized this during His earthly ministry: “when they insult and persecute you… because of Me. rejoice and be glad» (Mt 5:11-12); «These things I have spoken to you, so that My joy may be in you, and your joy may be perfect” (Jn 15:11).; «their heart will rejoice, and no one will take away their joy” (Jn 16:22).; “rejoice that your names are written in heaven” and “enter into the joy of your lord” (Mt 25:23). Furthermore, one of the gospels states that Jesus himself rejoiced (Lk 10:21).
One thing is certain: joy is central to God and His people. That is why it is a recurring call in the Bible. Three reasons can be proposed as to why the Scriptures speak of Christian joy:
1) Joy is the experience that has the greatest correspondence with the reality of our salvation and communion with God.
Delight and joy are the emotions most congruent with the reality of being saved. King David testified of his deliverance saying: “You have changed my lament into dance» (Ps 30:11); the prophet Isaiah described redemption as “Cloak of praise instead of downcast spirit” (Is 61:3). The same angel who announced the birth of the Savior to the shepherds, affirmed: «I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” (Luke 2:10).
Joy is the reality that communion with God produces
Likewise, joy is the reality produced by communion with God. That is, the presence of God is a source of joy and delight. We cannot say that we have fellowship with God and live in permanent bitterness or inconsolable sadness. Monotony and boredom are not realities that describe the sufficient presence of God. That is why the psalmist said: «In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand there are delights forever” (Ps 16:11).
Our fellowship with God in heaven is described by Jesus as entering into the “joy of your Lord” (Mt 25:23), for He is and will be our only true satisfaction. In short, Christian joy is the emotion that best describes and does justice to the reality of being saved by Christ and knowing him.
2) A joyful Christian is the best “propaganda” for the gospel message.
When a believer is satisfied in God, he is testifying to the world that He is enough for us. The joy of a Christian is a powerful testimony to the satisfaction and fulfillment that only Christ can produce. : “unhappy Christians are, to say the least, a poor commendation of the Christian faith.”
The presence of God is a source of joy and delight. We cannot say that we have fellowship with God and live in bitterness or inconsolable sadness.
When we are facing the world and despite the scarcity, we are showing that Christ is our greatest treasure and that possessing him is the reason for our joy. By rejoicing in affliction, we are presenting compelling evidence of the worth of Christ. Genuine Christian joy makes the gospel message more credible, or at least doesn’t trip it up.
The lack of joy that is often expressed in a lack of enthusiasm, complaints, dissatisfaction, frequent sadness and constant bitterness, can be a stumbling block for the gospel message that precisely offers the joy of salvation. May God keep us from such a contradiction!
3) Lack of joy can more easily lead us to spiritual decline.
Lack of joy is the shortest path that leads to sin. We enter the dangerous terrain of seeking worldly joy when we do not delight in Christ. The New Testament speaks of the danger of “enjoying the temporary pleasures of sin” (Heb 11:25). Sin offers joy, but such joy is temporary, deceptive, and ultimately destructive.
The heart that is not satisfied in God will seek that satisfaction in sin. That is the great danger of a Christianity without joy, without delight or satisfaction. The monotony and lack of delight in the Christian walk can become the prelude to sin and the beginning of a life that does not glorify God.
For this reason, we should not take joylessness lightly. We must be careful and shrewd in watching over our hearts. Constant frustration over even the smallest things, backbiting, frequent complaining, and lack of contentment are clear indicators of Christian joylessness.
We should be alarmed when the enthusiasm for congregating, for reading the Scriptures, for fellowship with the brothers is lost, and when fellowship with God or service no longer motivate us. Those are the dangerous symptoms of joylessness. We cannot take these things lightly. We must wake up.
Let’s take care of the heart. . In Christ we have complete provision for the deepest needs of our being. In Him we have forgiveness of sins, new life, fellowship with God, the power for a dignified life, and the hope of eternal life. We have everything we need to be joyful.
We have Christ. Enjoy in Him!
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