Most of us are aware that Christians should be joyful. We remember that the shepherds announced the birth of Christ as "news of great joy," that Jesus told his disciples that he wanted their joy to be full, and that Paul wrote that the kingdom of God was "righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit." Paul exhorts the Philippians about nineteen times to rejoice, and when the people of Samaria heard the preaching of the word of Christ and saw the accompanying signs of confirmation, "there was great joy in that city."

But quite often our lives are joy-less. We look at fellow Christians and wonder how there could be any joy in them, and we hear sermons that threaten us, entertain us, or inform us but do little to fill our hearts with joy. We find ourselves wondering what those early Christians found to rejoice in, especially when their lives were lived out under daily threat of death from a hostile government and society.

Some assume that the route to joy is in their own performance. Perhaps as we take a measure of satisfaction in our own work, a pride of accomplishment, we can find satisfaction and joy in keeping God's commandments. To some degree that may be true, especially if we give the glory and credit to the Holy Spirit who has enabled us to do so. However, there is always the nagging dilemma that we never have done enough. Like the rich young ruler, Jesus always confronts us with one more thing that we could have done to be perfect, and we need to be perfect before a holy God if we seek justification based on our performance. The Pharisee thought he had found it in his own work, but it was the publican, who came to God with only an awareness of his sin, rather than he, who went down to his house justified. In the end, legalism robs us of all our joy.

Another attempt of joy, and one more frequently used, is emotionalism. Especially is this device used among teenagers who are exposed to camp experiences, youth rallies, and specially trained youth speakers who know how to evoke a response. Tearful teenagers walk the aisles to get saved or rededicate their lives, but within a few days or weeks at the most, the excitement has worn off, and they often are back where they were. Or, at least, they are back to a joyless life. Adults, as well, seek spiritual highs from great speakers, wonderful books, conferences, retreats, or various experiences designed to raise the individual to a spiritual high. But how do you keep him/her there?

May we suggest that we look to Holy Scripture to see the answer. Read carefully Paul's prayers for the Ephesians (1:15-23, 3:14-20) and Colossians (9-13) to see what he believes will bring the Christian to joy: it is a solid knowledge of theology, of God's love for us in Christ. If we understand the Father's eternal purpose, Christ's atoning sacrifice, and the effectual work of the Spirit in our lives, we shall be on a spiritual high from which we shall never fall! The experience of his mighty power in us, the awareness of his love, the knowledge of what God has done for us are all linked together. The lives of countless Christians give testimony to the fact that only a certain and sure knowledge of the reality of God's work for and in us can provide that joy. Solid Biblical theology is the answer. Engedi Ministries exists for the purpose of providing this theological instruction. Contact us. We can help.