These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.~John 15:11
There is exquisite and overflowing happiness to be found in Christ. Is this your experience?
. . . for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” ~Nehemiah 8:10
This is the daily, hourly, moment-by-moment experience of a believer who is truly abiding in Christ.
His Own Joy
"that My joy may remain in you..."
Because of the resurrection we have never-ceasing joy - the joy of a work fully completed by our Saviour, so that we can rejoice in the Father's presence, and rejoice in the souls redeemed by the grace of our God. We are now partakers of the Joy of Christ.
But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in *triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.~2 Corinthians 2:14
* a reference to the lavish victory parades celebrated in Rome after great battles. God is depicted as the sovereign victor, with Christ as the general, leading the victory procession, and Paul as “captured” by Christ but now joyfully following him.
We are in a triumphal procession! Look backward, and see the work He has done! Look upward, and see the reward He has for us! We are partakers in His joy, in His work, in His glory!
"With our feet on Calvary, our eyes on the Father's face, and our hands helping sinners home, we have His joy as our own." ~Andrew Murray, Abiding in Christ, p. 153
Abiding Joy
"that My joy may remain in you..."
This abiding joy remains, never to cease, never interrupted.
If you think the Christian life is a succession of changes, sometimes joy, sometimes sorrow, you do not understand the unceasing joy that is yours in Christ. Paul understood this. The Christian life is a paradox - the combination at one and the same moment of all the bitterness of earth and all the joy of heaven!
Paul writes,
through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything. ~ 2 Corinthians 6:8-10
Andrew Murray explains,
These precious words teach us how the joy of Christ can overrule the sorrow of the world, can make us sing even while we weep, and can maintain in the heart, even when cast down by disappointment or difficulties, a deep consciousness of a joy that is unspeakable and full of glory.~ Andrew Murray, Abiding in Christ, p.153.
The presence of Jesus cannot help but bring JOY!
Full Joy
Answered prayer is a token
- of fellowship with the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit
- of God's delight in us as beloved children
- of God's care and concern for us
Look with eyes of faith, and see Jesus, the Great High Priest, entering the Father's presence for us, praying for us, working in us.
John 15 - shows the full joy of abiding in Christ
John 16 - shows the full joy of prevailing prayer
John 17 - shows the full joy of knowing that LOVE pleads for me
Life in Christ
This life is not a life of self-denial and sadness - that is a result of NOT abiding. No, life in Christ is full of JOY. The difficulties all arise from our refusal to surrender.
To those who finally yield themselves unreservedly to abide in Christ for a bright and blessed life, their faith comes true - the joy of the Lord is theirs.~Andrew Murray, Abiding in Christ, p. 155.
Are you experiencing joy in the midst of sorrow? Are you experiencing joy in the midst of pain? This life of joy can be yours, as you learn to fully abide in Christ, surrendering to His will and resting in His care.
. . .that your joy may be full!
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