The Joyful Christian Life

Editor’s note—Stewart Arthur lost his sight when he was a very young child. From the same accident which caused his blindness, he also suffered facial disfigurement. Soon afterwards, his parents divorced, and he was separated from his mother and sisters. He was subsequently raised by his paternal grandparents and residential State schools for the blind. While plastic surgeries restored Stewart’s facial features, he remains totally blind. Yet he says he has never been bitter about his blindness: “Long before I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior, I looked upon my blindness as God’s will for my life. Just as He knew I would surrender my life to Him, His hand of protection and provision have always been upon me.” Later, when Stewart was struggling with being a compassionate and loving caregiver for his terminally ill father, he surrendered to God’s sovereign will for his life. Called by the love of God and His Savior Jesus Christ, Stewart currently serves God along with his wife Jodi as online missionaries.

The Joyful Christian Life

Along with our Christ-given commission to spread the good news of Jesus Christ, Christians have a calling to live in such a manner that our lives draw non-believers to Christ. Our lives should be living testimonies to the goodness of God and the hope of Jesus Christ.

But in a world of sin, sorrow, sadness and tribulation, how is this even possible? How do we portray the hope-filled Christian life to others when we experience the same hardships as the rest of mankind? We endure loss of loved ones, illness and disease, handicaps, physical and emotional pain, mental turmoil and anguish, offenses against us, etc. Additionally, as believers, we struggle against sinful fleshly desires, Satan's attacks, and sorrow over the evils and corruption of the lost world. Amid this, are Christians just weary, persecuted travelers, trudging through life, trying to get Home? No! Our lives can be filled with love, courage, peace, hope, and joy.

What is the Source of the Christian’s never-ending fountain of love, courage, peace, hope, and joy? How do we drink from this restorative bottomless well of gladness and joy? The answer is always the same—our Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Consider God the Father

God's love for us is a constant cause for joy. His grace and lovingkindness renew every day for those who love Him. We are sons and daughters of our Father God in Heaven. What joy there is in the knowledge that our Father in Heaven is most powerful, most gracious, most merciful, most generous, and in total control. He works all things together for the good of His children and for His glory. All good things come from Him. We are awed and find joy in our Father God's creative power and the universe He designed. The rising and setting of the sun is reason enough for daily joy. In addition to the beauty of both occurrences, they signal God's faithfulness to His Word and to us, His children. Malachi 1:11 (NKJV) declares: “‘For from the rising of the sun, even to its going down, My name shall be great among the Gentiles; In every place incense shall be offered to my name, and a pure offering: For my name shall be great among the nations,’ Says the LORD of hosts.”

How about the joy of seeing God's glory on display in the night skies? Psalm 19:1–2 (NLT) reminds us: “The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known.”

Is there not joy in meditating upon God's peace? We have peace from Him, and we are at peace with Him. There is no animosity towards us or impending condemnation. The judgment to come is for those who reject Him and rebel against Him.

Consider the Joy of God's Fellowship

King David describes the joy of being in God's presence, "You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore" (Psalm 16:11, NKJV).

We achieve this spiritual fellowship with God through worship, prayer, devotions, and through His Word, the Bible. In Psalm 19:7–8 (NLT), God states through King David: "The instructions of the LORD are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The commandments of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are clear, giving insight for living.”

Consider Jesus Christ

The embodiment of our Triune God is Jesus Christ. It is what He has done, is doing, and will do for us, in us, and through us, that provides us countless opportunities for joy. The more we grow in our knowledge of Him through the study of Scripture and the more we see His promises fulfilled in our lives, the more our love for Him will grow. We will realize the abundant life He promises. It is a joyful moment when we learn new and wonderful truths about our Lord and Savior.

The work of Jesus Christ on the cross presents countless and continual occasions for thanksgiving, praise, and joy. His death served as atonement for our sins, allowing for our forgiveness. His death and burial allowed for the death of our old life and sin nature. His resurrection allowed for our rebirth to a new and eternal life, free of the guilt and shame of our former life.

Jesus is not only a cause for our joy, but He also modeled joy in the face of sorrow, sadness, betrayal, and false accusations while enduring the most excruciating, painful death. Hebrews 12:2 (NKJV) says: “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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Christ was called “a man of sorrows” (Isaiah 53:3, NLT), yet He endured the cross with joy. His joy was for those who would receive the free gift of salvation—for you and for me. We are His joy and He is ours.

Consider the Holy Spirit

The question remains: How can we possibly rejoice during deep periods of suffering, dark nights of the soul, and painful experiences? The answer is: in our own strength, we cannot. But we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13)! God would not command without providing the way. That is where the third person of the trinity, the Holy Spirit, helps us. Upon our spiritual baptism, the person of the Holy Spirit came to indwell us. He serves many purposes, and one of them is planting various seeds of spiritual fruit. One such fruit of the Spirit is joy. Galatians 5:22–23 (NLT) lists these spiritual fruits: “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” Verse 25 goes on to encourage us to express through our lives all of these fruits of the Spirit. Fruit gives evidence that we are saved and sealed by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13, NKJV).

In summary, there is much sorrow and suffering throughout our walk of faith. We are, however, called to live joyful lives despite our trials and tribulations. Our Father God in Heaven, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit give us ample reasons for joy, and the supernatural ability to access and express a life of joy. Let us present a joyful demeanor to a lost world, attracting them to the light of Christ.

“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4, NKJV).

“Rejoice always” (1 Thessalonians 5:16).

“Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!” (Habakkuk 3:17–18, NLT).

Stewart Arthur and Jodi are currently members of McDowell Baptist Church in St. Augustine, Florida. They are excited about a new calling as leaders in a small church in a different part of the country. Stewart will be preaching, leading Bible study, and counseling. Jodi will serve by his side and help in ladies’ ministries.