For himself the desert was enough… But he enjoyed the giving of pleasure to others.”
–Louis L’Amour (Taggart)
“You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.”
–1 Peter 1:8 (NLT)
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How to Live in a Pagan, Apostate, and Foolish World
Key Verse: “We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” (1 John 5:19, NASB)
Our joy should be full, complete. We are to live in fullness of joy, in fact, we should live lives of joy, the woes of the world should not affect that. Jesus Christ is the source of real joy, therefore the message of the Church should be that of Christ. If one wants to have joy they can find it only, in its purest most complete form only in Jesus Christ. He is central–He is essential!
Is your joy not complete? I believe there are four main hindrances to having the “joy of the Lord” and living a life of joy.
1) Sin and unrighteousness — Failure to keep the commandments of God will rob us of our conscious possession of eternal life, thus robbing us of joy in the present. Sin leads to uncertainty, for Jesus said if we love Him, we will keep His commandments (1 John 2:3). D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones said, “There is nothing that so upsets our assurance and confidence as sin; the same thing that breaks fellowship with God leads to uncertainty about the divine life within.”
2) Lack of love for the brethren — This has to be a God-thing. God must help us love, for there certainly are some brethren that make it hard to love them. However, when we have feelings against a brother, it will rob us of our joy.
3) Love of the world — cannot mix God and evil. People may try to enjoy the things of the world; it may bring them short happiness, but it will cause the spirit to grieve.
4) False teaching about the person of Jesus Christ — that will/should take the joy from us when we hear it. The Holy Spirit within us will be grieved. Joy will not disappear unless you would begin to follow that teaching. For example, last week I read where one “woke” pastor said that Jesus was a racist and had to repent. No! No! No! Jesus never had to repent; He loved the world!
If there are hindrances to joy, thus, hindrances to our testimony and troublesome to living this life there must also be practical aspects to having joy.
1) Believe not every spirit (1 John 4:1). There are all kinds of spirits in the world–follow only the Holy Spirit.
2) Dwell in the love of God (1 John 4:7-21). It is measureless; it will keep you from sin and if failing it will bring you back to Him.
3) Actively keep His commandments. Oh, to fulfill our love for Him, but keeping His commandments. What a wonderful thing it is to see Him smile at us.
4) Hold the right views of Jesus Christ (1 John 5:5-9). Be certain of Who He is, of His love for you. He cares for each one of us. Know that He is the Son of God, who came to earth born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, was crucified, rose from the grave, and is now in heaven waiting to return to earth.
There is joy in the assurance that you are a child of God. Because of that it is easier to go to Him in prayer. Knowing that He is your heavenly Father that makes prayer much easier for it is to Someone who loves you deeply. Being a child of God, and recognizing that, makes it easier to have victory over sin. It’s “victory in Jesus, my Savior, FOREVER” (E.M. Bartlett, emphasis mine).
“Though the whole world may be rocking around about and beneath your feet, and though hell may be assailing your from every direction, in the confident, quiet knowledge that you are a child of God, you will have a piece of which nothing can rob you.”
–D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones