For the Joy
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)
Jesus went willingly to death at Calvary. He knew it was His purpose and destiny and nothing stopped Him-not even His own flesh. Yes he cried in the garden -” And He said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt." Human will must submit to God’s will if we’re to please him and fulfill His purpose in life. We each have our own cross to bear.
Jesus learned obedience by the things which he suffered. (Hebrews 5:8) How much more do we need to submit to Him in our suffering. If we’re being hated because of Jesus’ name then we are supposed to rejoice and be glad. Why? Because we’ve been counted worthy to suffer for His precious name. "Easier said than done" we may say. But through the power of the Holy Spirit -which He promised to all true believers-we can have joy. Remember ‘the joy of the Lord is our strength.
And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
John 17:13-15
Several years ago I had an uncle who sang and played the guitar in church. One of my favorite songs he’d sing had the line “This Joy that I have, the world didn’t give it to me-And the world can’t take it away.” In other stanzas “joy” would be changed to Holy Ghost or love. Which reminds me of a favorite verse from my youth; the one about not loving the world or the things in it. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. (I John2:15)
When we give in to temptations then satan has drawn us away from obedience to God. And this could result in our loss of faith and trust in Him. Guilt, doubt, and shame will replace joy. This is a dangerous place to be but God is gracious and merciful. He doesn’t want His children wallowing in these negative emotions and thoughts. Yet, we have to remember He chastens those He loves.
Let’s look at a specific event in Peter's life. In Matthew 16:16, first we see Peter declaring that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Later, in the same chapter, we read that he rebuked Jesus. It’s hard to believe but Peter did it. In the same way it’s hard to realize we do it ourselves. When we argue and complain about our trials and troubles then we reject His words that tell us to rejoice, be thankful, trust, and obey.
What did Jesus say to the disciples before Peter rebuked him?
21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. (Matthew 16)
Jesus revealed His future suffering, death and resurrection to the disciples. Peter now knew that Jesus was the ‘Christ, the Son of the living God.’ Despite Peter hearing the words right out of Jesus’ mouth he rejected them as soon as they were spoken. His human reasoning refused to believe that the Son of God would ever have to endure such suffering. Jesus' powerful rebuke obliterated Peter's misguided words. As children of God we should learn at least 3 lessons from this passage: 1) What Jesus says He means. 2) If we’re to become like our Lord Jesus then we will often experience suffering. 3) Joy comes in the morning!
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Philippians 3
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake
We suffer persecution because of other’s sins and sometimes we suffer chastisement because of our own sins.
17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
Our Father Disciplines His Children
7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? Hebrews 12
If you don’t have a good-conscience toward God then perhaps you have a sin problem. There is a remedy. Repent with a humble and contrite heart. Next ask Him to restore the joy of your salvation. How and where do we find joy? In the Word of God, the love letter He wrote for ‘whosoever will let him come’. In His presence, when we pray and praise Jesus Christ-the name above all names. In the Holy Ghost which brings righteousness, peace, and joy.
If you don’t know about the mighty gift of the Holy Ghost read John 14-16 along with Acts 2.
