Articles
What Is Unique About Christian Joy?
What Is Unique About Christian Joy?
By Paul R. Blake
First, one's capacity for joy is increased by sorrow and trials. This is true even though it may appear counter-intuitive. Jesus told his disciples that the sorrow they felt over His departure will make their joy even greater upon His return (John 16:20-22). Just as thirst can make a cool drink taste more refreshing, so present sorrows can help intensify appreciation for future joy. In the world, grief robs us of joy; in Christ, grief becomes an avenue for joy.
Second, true joy helps the Christian to discover profit and advantage in his sufferings. James instructs us to take joy in trials (James 1:2-4), for trials bring patience, a much needed virtue for Christian living. The Hebrews took joy in the robbing of their property by persecutors because it reminded them of their great possessions in heaven (Heb. 10:34). The apostles joyfully viewed persecution as an affirmation that they were counted worthy to suffer for Christ (Acts 5:41). Jesus taught that those who suffer persecution should take joy in the sharing of suffering with Himself and the prophets (Matt. 5:11-12). Outside Christ, suffering becomes a cause for anger and despair. Among Christians, burdens are looked upon as welcome opportunities.
Third, joy is shared among Christians. In Luke 15, Jesus relates three parables designed to teach us to rejoice together, especially when the lost are restored to God's favor and to our fellowship. In the parable of the lost sheep, the shepherd calls his neighbors together when he finds the sheep and says "Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost" (v 6). In the account of the lost coin, the woman, upon finding the coin, summons her neighbors saying, "Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost" (v 9). Upon the return of the prodigal son, the father says to the envious older son, "It was right that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found" (v 32). Joy begets joy among God's children (Rom. 12:15; 1Cor. 12:26); in the world, joy often produces jealousy in the hearts of others.
Lastly, Christian joy is burglar-proof; it cannot be stolen away by anyone or anything. Jesus said in John 16:22 that no man would be able to take away their joy. Grief and suffering do not have the capacity to rob us of joy; no man can steal our joy; no force of nature can diminish our joy. The lost have a joy that is easily taken away; the saved have a joy that cannot be moved. One might ask at this point: "If Christian joy cannot be taken away, then why are some Christians unhappy?" The answer is simple... our own sins diminish our joy. Our sin separates us from God (Isa. 59:2). Since our joy is based on a right relationship with God, when that relationship is damaged, our joy is damaged along with it. When David sinned, he acknowledged that he had to be restored to righteousness before he could find joy again (Psalm 51:8, 12).
Conclusion: Joy is not elusive; it is readily found by those who pursue righteousness. Joy is listed as a fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22, produced by those who live according to the guidance of the Word. If we walk in fellowship with God, Christian joy will be our companion along the pathway. "Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say, Rejoice" (Phil. 4:4).
Death Bed Repentance
By Paul R. Blake
An erring Christian who decides to wait until he is dying to confess his sins has little promise of forgiveness. How can he possibly make an honest, untainted repentance? In point of fact, he has tried to exploit what he sees as a loophole in God's second law of pardon by choosing to sin as long as he can. He is no different from the man who says to himself, “I will sin tonight, and in the morning, I will repent and be forgiven.” Because the man waiting for his deathbed has no intention to bring forth fruit meet for repentance, his confession is disingenuous. I would tell any man who is intentionally delaying his repentance that he has little hope if he waits for his deathbed to repent. This is a form of tempting God. Consider: if an un-baptized sinner confesses Christ on his deathbed, can he be saved without baptism? No, he must keep the command to be baptized. Likewise with the erring Christian who confesses on his deathbed; he cannot keep the command to “bring forth fruits meet for repentance.” He is just as lost as the un-baptized sinner who merely confesses Christ's name on his deathbed. The moral of this story for erring Christians: Stop tempting God, confess your sins, and straighten up your lives before you near your end.
One Nation Under God
John Adams was America's second President, George Washington's Vice President, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and a member of the Continental Congress. He also authored the classic three volume work titled, A Defense of the Constitution of the Government of the United States. It was Adams who urged Thomas Jefferson to draft the Declaration of Independence. It was Adams who recommended that Congress appoint George Washington to be Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. It was Adams who negotiated the final treaty with Great Britain ending the Revolutionary War.
In his diary entry dated February 22, 1756 he wrote: "Suppose a nation in some distant region should take the Bible for their only law book and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited! Every member would be obliged in conscience, to temperance, frugality, and industry; to justice, kindness, and charity to- wards his fellow men; and to piety, love, and reverence toward Almighty God... What a Utopia, what a Paradise would this region be."
On July 1, 1776, he declared before the Continental Congress, as the 13 colonies were getting ready to sever ties from Great Britain: "Before God, I believe the hour has come. My judgment approves this measure, and my whole heart is in it. All that I have, and all that I am, all that I hope in this life, I am now ready to stake upon it. And I leave off as I began, that live or die, survive or perish, l am for the Declaration. It is my living sentiment, and by the blessing of God it shall be my dying sentiment. Independence now, and Independence forever." He observed about the Constitution: “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”
A Moments Wisdom
--Some people want to live like a goat and die like a sheep.
--Nebuchadnezzar’s furnace will seem like a spring breeze compared to hell fire.
--Anyone who is satisfied to stand still should not complain when others pass him.
--It is useless to put your best foot forward if you are going to drag the other.
Test Your Bible Knowledge of Solomon’s Worthy Woman
1. What time of day does she get up? __________
2. What do her children call her? __________
3. What does her husband say about her? __________
4. What two words describe the way she speaks? __________ & __________
5. How does Solomon describe her value? ____________________
Upcoming Sermons
1/16/22 AM - “Walking in the Fear of the Lord”; PM - “Show Us a Sign”
1/23/22 AM - “You are Complete in Him”; PM - “You Can’t Tell Me What to Do!”
1/30/22 AM - “In the Beginning was the Word”; PM - Guest Speaker: Doug Sanders - Praise Him
2/6/22 AM - Paul’s Astounding Address to Agrippa; PM - Themed Singing: I KNOW: A Service on Conviction
2/13/22 AM - Thank You, Lord; PM - God Give Us Christian Homes: Instructions for Those Who Live Alone
2/20/22 AM - Undermining the Firm Foundation; PM - God Give Us Christian Homes: God’s Instructions for the Religiously Mixed Marriage
2/27/22 AM - “You are Complete in Him”; PM - The Bible is not a Science Textbook
