Thankfully we have brothers and sisters in Christ who are faithful to remind us of our responsibilities and privileges in Christ. This is often sweetly experienced when we encountered various trials in life. Our faithful kin in Christ remind us of that familiar passage in James 1:
(Jam 1.2) Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds
The purpose, we are reminded as we keep reading, is to make us stronger and more like Jesus. This is good and right.
But I wonder if we would have to make such a jump to light speed in the joy department if we lived our lives with responsive happiness to the God of all grace? In other words, we wouldn’t have such a hard time enduring with joy if we were already existing in joy.
How different would we be if our daily practice is to wake up, remind ourselves of our sin, God’s grace in the giving of Jesus for us and our salvation, and his victorious resurrection?
The gospel is the Father giving the One who gives him eternal joy. He gives him to rebels like us, that we might be made to rejoice in him. This happiness then reverberates through us unto God in praise and thanksgiving. All of this serves to magnify the giving and receiving of Jesus. There is joy in the giving of Jesus by the Father. There is joy in the receiving of Jesus by his people. And it is the Holy Spirit who communicates this blessed gospel symphony to us, through us, and for us, all to the glory of Christ.
When I am lacking joy I am living with gospel amnesia. All I have to do is revisit Calvary and meditate upon the goodness of God in giving Jesus for me. This puts life in complete perspective. And in the knowledge of Christ in the gospel there is a happiness that puts all seasons in perspective, whether we are being afflicted or relieved; all is intended to abound for the glory of Christ.
This reminds me of a section of a favorite hymn. (note: repine = complain)
Soul, then know thy full salvation
Rise o’er sin and fear and care
Joy to find in every station,
Something still to do or bear.
Think what Spirit dwells within thee,
Think what Father’s smiles are thine,
Think that Jesus died to win thee,
Child of heaven, canst thou repine.
Let the gospel help you and others not only to endure with joy but to also exist in joy. In doing so we magnify Jesus’ infinite beauty and worth.