Joy is an essential virtue in believers’ life. God’s people in
the Old Testament rejoiced, as they worshipped God. The Psalmist rejoiced
greatly in God and His Word (Psalm 19:8; 36:4). Psalm 87:7b says, “All my
springs of joy are in you.” In the New Testament, joy is a virtue, under the
fruit of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22). Paul commands believers to rejoice always
(Philippians 2:18; 3:1 4:4; I Thessalonians 5:16). Jesus points to the supreme
cause for rejoicing.
THE LORD JESUS CHRIST ON JOY:
The Lord Jesus highlights the right reason for His disciples
to rejoice. True joy is not to be based on health, wealth, achievements or ministry.
Jesus says in Luke 10:20, “Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the
spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in
heaven.”
The context is when the seventy men sent by the Lord Jesus to
minister, returned and reported to Him. Luke 10:17 says, “The seventy returned
with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name.” They
were rejoicing because of their spectacular ministry. Jesus told them, “….do not rejoice in this,
that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded
in heaven.” Jesus emphasized, their salvation should be the best reason for
rejoicing.
SALVATION IS SPECIAL BECAUSE:
Salvation is God initiated:
Luke 10:21 says, “I praise You, O
Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the
wise and intelligent and have revealed then to infants. Yes, Father, for this
was well-pleasing in your sight.” God chooses to hide the truth from the wise
people, but reveals to the humble and grants them (as a gift), repentance that
lead to life. (Acts 11:15)
2. Salvation is wholesome:
Bodily healing benefits people
temporally. But, salvation is of the total person, spirit, soul and body. A
spiritually saved person receives eternal life now and his body will be raised glorified
at Christ’s return. This is complete redemption for which all wait. “And not
only this, but also, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves
groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the
redemption of our body.” (Romans 8:23)
Salvation will be perfected by God:
Earlier we saw God initiates
salvation. God will also perfect His grace work. Paul says, “For I am confident
of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until
the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)
4. Salvation is purely by grace:
Salvation is unmerited and can be received
only by grace through faith. (Ephesians 2:8, 9) Such saving faith is possible only
for those appointed by God. (Acts 13:48) Long before they are even born, names of those
appointed are written in the Lamb’s book of life. (Revelation 13:8)
Salvation is eternal and abundant:
“For God so loved the world, that
He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not
perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16) “I am come that they might have life
and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10) Those who receive the gift of salvation
will live forever. They will enjoy a quality life right now. In Christ, they
are new creatures. (I Corinthians 5:17) They part take of divine nature. (II
Peter 1:4)
Salvation is freedom from the tyranny of sin:
Salvation frees sinners from the
penalty of sin immediately (Romans 4:25), the power of sin progressively (Romans
6:14; I John 3:8) and the presence of sin instantaneously in the future. (I
John 3:2)
Salvation is secure:
Salvation can not be lost. This security
depends entirely on God’s power, authority and faithfulness. Jesus says, “I
give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish, and no one will snatch
them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all;
and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” John 10:28, 29)
The indwelling Holy Spirit is the God given guarantee that believers are
forever His inheritance. (Ephesians 1:13, 14)
Salvation makes believers children of God:
“But to as many as received Him,
to then He gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12) “See how
great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of
God; and such we are.” (I John 3:1) Knowing God as Father is the greatest grace
privilege.
APPLICATION:
- Repenting of your sins, believe in Christ the Savior and be sure of your salvation.
- Rejoice over the gift of intimate grace relationship with God as Father.
- Repeat with the Psalmist, “All my springs of joy are in You.”
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