|
“Words taught by the Spirit”
(1Cor.2:13)
An Email Ministry of Spiritual Messages for the Glory of God
“REJOICE EVER MORE.”
“Pray without ceasing.” “In every thing give thanks:
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
(1Thess.5:16-18)
INTRODUCTION:
The three
verses that I have just cited were the most difficult for me and mainly the
first one, which says
“Rejoice ever more.” My difficulty
was due to the word
“ever more” or
“always” because of the expression
of the third verse: “for
this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
THE REASON:
I was often
wondering: How can we ever rejoice
“always”? When we watch the TV, we see and
hear about economic and political crises, about insurrections, killings,
murders, terrorist acts, massacres and suppression of human rights, car and
plane accidents and natural disasters; economic and political refugees or for
other reasons! And what should we say about the abounding immorality?
Pedophilia, homosexuality, official homosexual marriages as well as the decline
or even the total loss of moral values?
Furthermore, how is it ever possible to rejoice when either we ourselves
or members of our family suffer from incurable diseases, which are in a state of
deterioration?
What is
worse is the spiritual decline of the churches, despite their numerous
activities and publicity campaigns,
as if God’s Spirit had abandoned them!
When I see such things, my heart is bleeding and my sleep is removed; as for my
wife, she begins praying… Then, am I sinning on account of such things which
grieve my heart? I must humbly confess that I feel as if I am in a state of
psychological depression! I was feeling spiritually sick! At a certain moment, I
was reminded however, of the verse:
“Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them
that weep.”
(Rom.12:15). This verse constitutes the will of God and a token of good
spiritual health.
Finally, if we take a look at the Old Testament we will find out that most of
the prophets denounced and lamented the situation in their days!
IS IT POSSIBLE?
How is it possible to
“Rejoice ever more.”?
I searched in the Bible to find out why the Bible teaches us that the true
Christians must always be glad. In the first place, because what
is happening in our days was already prophesized and that there will be worse
situations to come, (especially after the American President Obama’s declaration
that
WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS:
Let us
examine carefully some verses and to help us understand why, we, Christians,
should always rejoice:
1.
Jesus said
to His disciples:
·
“…He
that believes on me has everlasting life.”
(John 6:47)
·
“These
things have I spoken to you, that my joy might
remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”
(John 15:11) What things? “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you,
you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done
to you.” (John 15:7) and that:
·
“Jesus
answered and said to him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father
will love him, and we will come to him, and make
our stayed with him.”
(John 14:23). Jesus continuing his speech added: “…the
Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he
shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance,
whatever I have said to you.” (John 14:26).
Then, the whole Trinity abides in whom the words of Jesus abide, in whom who
loves Him and keep his words! Incredible, mysterious but true!
2.
“Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject to you; but
rather rejoice, because your names are written
in heaven.”
(Luke 10:20)
3.
“Rejoice,
and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven:
for so persecuted they the prophets which were
before you.”
(Matt.5:12). We must, therefore be joyful even when we are persecuted!
(1Pet 4:13).
4.
“Rejoicing
in hope;
patient in tribulation; continuing always in prayer;”
(Rom.12:12) In hope ? Yes, in hope because we are
confident that He who has begun a good work in us will perform it until the
day of Jesus Christ (Php.1:6) and that we are going to see the goodness
of the LORD in the land of the living !... (Ps 27:13) ; and
5.
“Rejoice
in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.”
(Php.4:4). Paul explains the reason, saying “…
The Lord is at hand. Be careful
for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes
all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
(Phil 4:5-7)
Conclusion:
“For
our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more
exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which
are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which
are not seen are eternal.”
(2Cor.4:17-18). All our difficulties, sicknesses, afflictions etc., cannot be
compared with the work God has done in us and the glorious destiny He has
prepared for us because of his unconditional love for us!
DEFINITIONS:
But what
does the Bible wants to say by the expression:
“Rejoice ever more.”
Laughing, singing, clapping the hands and dancing according to the rhythm
of the church music? The joy of Christians is more than that!
Mainly,
it is the fruit of the Holy Spirit!
Be joyful with a content heart for all the goodness that the Lord has
done to us (1Kings 8:66) and wants to do to us! His plans are always for our
good! Our Heavenly Father who loves us
makes all things work together for good to them
that love Him!
(Rom.8:28). It is a deep and
holy feeling of satisfaction and of
optimism under all circumstances in which we are! Given that God reigns
and works all things after the counsel of His own will, we conclude that
A Christian
without true Christian joy is not a spiritually healthy Christian.
Our heavenly father does love us
and takes care of us! The Holy Spirit has undertaken the responsibility
to abide in us in order to teach us and guide us into all truth and
intercede for us
for us with groanings which cannot be uttered (Rom.8:26). There is also
another reason, which is
extremely important: We have, by the power
of the Holy Spirit the victory over
our sins and passions! Also, we have the Unction of the Holy Spirit, which
teaches us all things!
He has not
only guaranteed us
eternal life but He has also
promised us to make us
conform to the image of
His Son Jesus Christ and that we will
inherit
all things the Father has prepared for His Son Jesus-Christ. Our
joy and gladness must have a
permanent character, a permanent
optimism, irrespective of our situation
and actual problems.
Our faith in His words and our confidence in His
character assure us interior peace and joy.
CONDITIONS:
Christian
joy is not intended for those who live in sin and in selfishness!
There is
no true joy and peace for those who live in sin, in anxiety and worldly cares,
who live in lukewarmness, in indifference, in disobedience and in guilty fear.
True joy is
for those who are saved,
whose names are written in the book of life because they
HAVE GIVEN HIM THEIR HEART UNRESERVEDLY AND HAVE MADE
HIM THE LORD OF THEIR LIFE!
“In His presence is fullness of joy; at His right hand there are pleasures for
ever more” (Ps.16:11), the Psalmist says.
True joy is
for the humble (Isa.29:19); for him who mourns for his sins and
for him who puts his trust in Christ (Ps.5:11)! Joy is for the
righteous (Ps.68:5); for those who seek Him with all their heart
(Ps.105:3); for those who have presented their bodies to be a living
sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God and who have do not conform to this world
but they are transformed by the renewing of their mind (Rom.12:1-2). True joy is
for the good and faithful servants (Mat.25:21); for those who are
persecuted on account of their piety (Lu.6:23 and 2Tim.3:12); it is for
those who demand and receive (John 16:24); for those who are being
filled by the Presence of the Holy Spirit (Ac.13:52 and Rom.14:17) and who
produce the fruit of the Spirit (Gal.5:22)! For those who despise the
shame of mockers (Heb.12:2); for
those who love the truth with all their heart
(1Cor.13:6); for those who rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep
with them that weep (Rom.12:15),
and who rejoice when they make other people sorry in order to bring them to
repentance (2Cor.7:9). There is joy in doing mercy (Jas.2:13)! There is more
joy in giving than in receiving (Act.20:35).
Only God gives true joy; inner joy and inner peace that no one can remove!
All I have just said does not mean that man must be perfect in all things so
that God can give wisdom, knowledge and joy (Ecc.2:26). What counts is
the sincerity of our heart towards Christ
and most importantly our good choices.
In conclusion, true joy belongs solely to
those who walk in uprightness, in sincerity and in incorruptibility.
BENEFICIAL EFFECTS :
When we are
in a state of true joy in Christ, the power of the Lord is manifested in our
life and applies its beneficial effects on all who surround us; believers and
non believers (Neh.8:10 and Job 8:9). God blesses us by equipping us with a
sound word by which we can deliver a soul from sinful slavery. God meets him
that rejoices and works righteousness, him that remembers Him in his ways
(Prov.21:15; Isa.64:5).
May God bless us!
John BALTATZIS
www.sporeas.com
www.sporeas.gr
www.sporeas.eu
|
