The Christian Quality of Joy
One of the best things about being a Christian is joy. The New Bible Dictionary points out that, “In both OT and NT joy is consistently the mark both individually of the believer and corporately of the church. It is a quality, and not simply an emotion, grounded upon God himself and indeed derived from him (Ps. 16:11; Phil. 4:4; Rom. 15:13), which characterizes the Christian’s life on earth (1 Pet. 1:8), and also anticipates eschatologically the joy of being with Christ forever in the kingdom of heaven (cf. Rev. 19:7).”
Because of this God-derived quality, you and I are “marked” by joy whether or not we feel the particular emotion of joy or happiness at any given moment. This Sunday we celebrate Jesus’ ascension. The proper response to reflecting on this wonderous event that left the apostles standing and staring speechlessly into the sky is joy. Why? Because we who have been baptized into Christ will also ascend with him to the Father when he returns. “And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God (Luke 24:52-53).”
Because Jesus really died for our sins, really rose from the dead, really ascended to the Father, and really will come again – we are a people marked by joy. Moreover, our ancient foe, Satan, knows that we who cannot be separated from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:38-39), also cannot be separated from the “quality” of joy. So then, why is it that we too often do not feel the emotion of joy, even on joyous days like Ascension Day? The 17th-century pastor, William Gurnall, provides us with a helpful reflection upon this question in The Christian in Complete Armour:
When you have done your best, then this persuasive critic [Satan] goes to work, ‘There,’ he will say, ‘you played the hypocrite – appearing noble, but really serving self. Here you wandered; there, you were lazy; farther along, puffed up with pride. What reward can you hope for at God’s hands, now that you have spoiled His work?’ Such constant nitpicking makes many poor souls lead a weary life…. It is his master plan that if he cannot rob you of your righteousness, he will deprive you of your joy.
To be honest with ourselves, we must admit that many of his charges are all too true. If Satan, whose eyes of understanding are so darkened, can charge us with this much, what could the light of God uncover! What a wonderful opportunity again to acknowledge your own sinfulness, and the overriding mercy of God! By this attitude, we take the very bricks Satan is throwing at us, and use them to build a monument to the glory of our gracious Lord.
You, I and the whole Body of Christ are marked, or sealed, by the quality of joy even when the troubles of this world and our ancient enemy strive, sometimes successfully, to deprive us of the emotion of joy. “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world (John 16:33).” Thanks be to God and his “overriding mercy!”
Deacon John Laffoon