The Shaping Virtues - Joy
In Philippians 4:4, Paul exhorts believers to “Rejoice in the Lord always.” But how are we to do that when life in a fallen world is often full of difficulties, disappointments, and suffering? The answers lie in the reality that in the gospel, we have a source of joy that cannot be touched by any circumstance in this life, no matter how bad.
The gospel is “good news of great joy…for all people” (Luke 2:10). As believers hear and embrace the good news of salvation by grace alone, the natural response is to rejoice. Our greatest trouble in life has been dealt with once and for all. We are “justified by his grace as a gift” (Romans 3:24), forgiven of all our sins, and forever reconciled to him. And that’s just the start.
We are adopted as sons and daughters into God’s family. We are given the Holy Spirit to empower our daily walk with him, and that same Spirit is the “guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it” (Ephesians 1:14). Our inheritance is eternal life in the new heavens and earth where “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4). And even more gloriously, we shall “see his face” (Revelation 22:4), as the apex of God’s redemptive plan. It is no wonder that Peter can say, “Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory” (1 Peter 1:8). We, of all people, have reason for joy!
But what about our suffering? Scripture makes no attempt to pretend that life is easy. It honestly admits to the reality of crying, mourning, and pain. But it also helps us to understand that even those moments are tempered by this untouchable joy, because we know that God has ordained them for our good. That’s why we can “Count it all joy…when you meet trials of various kinds” (James 1:2) and actually “ rejoice in our sufferings” (Romans 5:3). We rejoice not just because some day we will escape this world and all suffering will end, but because our suffering now is actually “preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison” (2 Corinthians 4:17).
Repeatedly preaching the gospel to ourselves positions us for this kind of joy, even in suffering. Ultimately, though, the Holy Spirit produces this joy by his indwelling presence (Galatians 5:22). Gospel joy is contagious joy, and joyful believers will produce joyful churches and joyful gatherings.
