Joy That Lasts
What does the Bible say about finding and keeping joy?
I went to see Pixar’s new movie, “Inside Out” this week. It’s a movie about the emotional life of a little girl in which five emotions are personified and become characters in the film. Those emotions are Joy, Disgust, Anger, Fear, & Sadness. The main character is Joy. Joy is the main character because all the emotions are all trying to work together to make Riley (the little girl) happy in the midst of all of life’s circumstances. The number one goal is to make sure Riley is happy.
It’s true. Regardless of how old we are, one of our primary goals in life is to be happy, or to have joy.
When we are young, our joy is based on relationships, being loved by family, or shared experiences like going to a concert, playing a sport, or learning a new activity.
My experience, however, is that when we get older we start looking for joy in achievement. Somewhere along the way we look at what others have accomplished and compare that to what we have accomplished and then tie all our joy up in our own sense of achievement.
The problem with achievement based joy is this: When all our joy is based on what we achieve, then our joy is dependent upon upward momentum in life. Which means joy is stolen when you don’t get the promotion, your marriage hits a difficult season, or you come across someone who, by comparison, has achieved more than you.
True Basis of Joy: “Receivement”
In Philippians 3:4-9 Paul says that he had all kinds of reasons to have confidence in the flesh and joy based on accomplishment.However, he considered all of those accomplishments nothing compared to the worth of knowing Christ. Paul holds up all these things (achievement) and then holds up this one thing (knowing Christ) and says, “The one thing makes all the other things seem insignificant.”
In other words, his attitude shifted from achievement to “receivement.”
Joy comes from shifting your perspective from what you have achieved in life to what you have received in Christ.
So, what have we received in Christ that gives us joy? I’m glad you asked.
1. Salvation
Luke 10:17-20 tells the story of disciples who are joyful because of what they were able to cast out demons in the name of Christ (achievement). Jesus affirms their work in His name, but then corrects the source of their joy by saying, “do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” The source of our joy is our salvation in Christ. Salvation is only made possible because of his grace.
In Christ we have received transforming grace and underserved mercy that has made possible our salvation.
Perhaps some greek will help. The greek word for grace is “charis” meaning unmerited favor. The greek word for joy is “chara” meaning rejoicing, gladness, or celebration.
Charis & Chara – Joy is literally written into grace!
I’m utterly convinced of this: We are more broken than we could ever imagine, and grace is more beautiful than we have ever dared to hope.
2. Christ Himself
When we place our faith in Christ, we receive not only his grace, mercy, and salvation. We receive him! We receive a personal relationship with the Savior.
This does not mean we have someone who will keep all the bad stuff from happening to us. It means we have the promise of his presence and power in the midst of every difficulty we face.
3. Community of Christ
When we receive Christ, we are adopted into a community of believers called the Church. This new community is designed to be a source of joy in your life!
For the Apostle Paul, the Body of Christ was certainly a source of joy.
- Phil. 4:1 – calls believers his joy and crown.
- 1 Thess. 2:19-20, 19 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20 Indeed, you are our glory and joy.”
- 2 Tim. 1:4, “I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.”
- Philemon 7, “Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.”
God’s design for the church community is that we would be a source of joy for one another. Do you come to church with joy? Do you come to church receiving joy from others? Do you come to church ready to give others joy? I don’t mean faking that everything is OK king of joy. I mean joy that we have one another through good and bad.
I mean resurrection joy. Joy that comes from the knowledge that Christ is risen, one day all things will be made new.
Joy comes from shifting your perspective from what you have achieved in life to what you have received in Christ. We have received salvation, Christ himself, and community. That is enough to rejoice over.
To learn more about joy that lasts, click on the resources below provided by Emmaus Road, a church in Fort Collins.
Prayer: Almighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of the Lord’s resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by your life-giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Source: Book of Common Prayer, Easter Day)
-Written by Andy Lucas, Pastor of Emmaus Road Church in Fort Collins.