(2) We understand from the New Testament that wherever it was taken, the gospel spread great joy. We observe that the early disciples were filled with joy (Acts 13:52). There were times when an entire city was filled with joy when the Gospel reached them: “So there was much rejoicing in that city” (Acts 8:8). Apostle Paul states that the kingdom of God is a joy-giving thing: “for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14: 17).
(3) On the other hand, as followers of Christ, we might wonder how we can be joyful. First, it is necessary to fight against our flesh. Then, we have to struggle against this big world with all its filth and temptations. Not just these, we are also much aware that Satan is roaming about looking to see whom he may devour. So how is it possible for us to be happy? We know with certainty that when we struggle against these forces, we will face severe tribulations, obstacles and pains. Even Apostle Peter confirms our need to face a great fiery ordeal in our race (1 Peter 4:12)! How then can we be joyous in the midst of all these sufferings?
(4) In particular, the Bible shows us people who remained joyful in such similar situations. In his letters to the Corinthians, Paul writes that the church of Macedonian was an example to this: “that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality” (2 Corinthians 8: 2). Even in the midst of severe trials and tribulations, they were profusely happy. It makes one wonder. Some might even think that only the mad could live like that. We learn from the Bible that even the apostle Paul lived this way- “Great is my confidence in you; great is my boasting on your behalf I am filled with comfort; I am overflowing with joy in all our affliction (2 Corinthians 7: 4). Paul himself affirms his absolute happiness in the midst of severe tribulations. And, we are well aware of the severity of the tribulations he had to undergo. He was often beaten, imprisoned many times, pelted with stones, trapped thrice in shipwrecks and suffered much hardship (2 Corinthians 11:23 – 27). So how was this possible for Paul? We know that when Jesus was born, the angels declared great joy to all. And we understand from their statements that the Macedonians received the same joy as that of the angels. Their joy is similar to the joy of the angels who were proclaiming at the time of Jesus’ birth.
(5) If so, we need to be joyful too. Only then can it be established that we have fully realized the significance of the good news proclaimed by the angels regarding the effect of the birth of Christ. If we do not have that joy in us then it means that we have not completely understood the good news in Christ. Let us see what is so special about the birth of Christ that requires us to be joyous in every kind of situation.
(6) We have knowledge of what Christ earned for us on the cross. He died on the cross in Adam’s place and bought freedom from death for all humankind: “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15: 22). Let us discuss this in detail, and ponder over the joy that we will get because of this. Due to this sacrifice of Christ, our relatives, our friends, our grandpa, grandma, and everyone will be resurrected. The famous personalities we have read about in history, such as Alexander and Gandhi are all going to be resurrected. There are many unresolved cases of murder and theft where the culprit is unknown. We have read about them. But at the resurrection, everything will be disclosed and solved. How joyful are these things! Many lose their relatives at a very young age. All their tears are going to be turned into joy. This news should not only make us happy, but it should also make the whole world exceedingly joyful. If so, why is the world not happy?
(7) Jesus explains it thus to his disciples: “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them” (Matthew 13:11). We need to consider how much joy this saying of Christ must give us. The world is unhappy because this secret is hidden from them. But, to us it is not hidden. Many amongst us work in different offices. If our superior were to confide in us the secrets of the company, how very happy and proud we would feel of the honour. What an honour it would be if the Prime Minister of our country were to call us and confide in us the secrets of the country. If these things were to produce so much joy, how much more should be our joy and pride in the possession of the knowledge regarding the secrets of the kingdom of God, which Jehovah God has himself imparted to us! How thrilling it is that God imparted these secrets to us and not to men of wisdom and intelligence who abound in this wide world! It is for this glory that God has predestined us: “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified” (Romans 8: 29, 30).
(8) Yes! We are predestined of God. How much joy this truth should give us! This indeed gave great joy to Paul (Galatians 1:15)! One might ask – how is being predestined and in possession of God’s secrets helpful to us in this world? When this whole world is living with no goal and purpose, we alone are living a purposeful life. Take a moment to deliberate on this matter. Man’s life on this earth is futile. People need to get resurrected and then, by living a righteous life, they will have to obtain life. As of now, they don’t stand to gain any benefit from their present lives. It is meaningless. On the other hand, at the end of this life itself, we are going to be rewarded for our present lives. Therefore, there is meaning to our present lives.
(9) If we were to meditate further, we observe that humankind is struggling for money, fame or family. But we know that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil (1Timothy 6:10). We know that money does not give us peace. If we were to gain fame, Christ asks for what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? (Matthew 16: 26). Napoleon achieved great fame in this world. In spite of that, after his death, this fame and name were of no use to him. People honour his memory. In spite of this, there is no life or thought in the tomb where he can enjoy the honour given to him by this world. But if we were to live our life according to the will of God then, for life everlasting we will enjoy the good name we earned. Similarly, there are people in this world who are struggling all their life to fulfil the needs of their family. We have families too. But we do not live for the family. We live for God. Marriage or children do not give peace or joy. We know that all these are temporal. So, we do not live for money, fame or family.
(10) Let us reflect over this now. A worldly man would be planning or worrying on how to earn money, how to protect his honour, or about some family concerns. If we do not live for these, then what is it that we should be pondering about? What after all is left? Paul answers: “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things” (Philippians 4: 8). We must realize the depth of this verse. Bible says that the entire world is wicked (Galatians 1:14, James 1:27). If so, all those who do not belong to the church are wicked. Except for our holy relationships with our brethren, everything is wicked. Sometimes, we think of our relatives or friends to be good. They belong to this world. James says that friendship with the world is hostility towards God (James 4:4). That’s the reason why this world and everything in this world is kept for destruction (2 Peter 3:10). Except for those of the church, all other humans are wicked. That is the reason God is going to destroy this world. Even if one good person remains, God cannot and will not destroy the world (See Genesis 18: 31,32). That is also the reason why God cannot destroy the world so long as the church is here. Yes, we are truly the salt of this world that is protecting the world from being destroyed until now. (Matthew 5:13).
(11) So, if everything in this world is wicked, how is it possible for us to ponder over higher things of this world? We know that this whole world is of a lower order. It means that our thoughts should be of higher things of the next world. We are always in expectation of this: “But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3: 13). If we consider why we sometimes lose our joy, the reason would be certainly of this present world. But we understand what Jesus said, our kingdom is not of this world (John 18: 36). It is of the next world. Our hope is only of that world which is to come. If so, we know that none can steal the blessings of that world (Matthew 6: 9, 20). So as Paul says, if we were to contemplate only on the things of the coming world then we will always remain joyous. That is our world. Why then do we need to lose our happiness by placing our trust on the decaying things of the present world as if we belong to this world?
(12) Some may ask how it is possible to constantly contemplate the things of the other world? This is not like day dreaming. When we experience the things of this world, we need to consider all things in relation to the things of the other world. For example, when we find our health deteriorating, we need to think of the perfect body that will available to us in the other world and be joyous. And when we suffer for Christ, we are to remember that due to this suffering, we are winning the imperishable glory which in change our sorrows to joy. (1 Peter 4:13, 2 Timothy 2: 10). In fact, Jesus Christ himself was always in contemplation of the next world. During his trial before the Sanhedrin, the chief priest asked him if he was the messiah (Matthew 26:63). To that he replied: “You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you will see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, and COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN” (Matthew 26:64). Think about this answer. Jesus could have said a simple ‘Yes’ and be done with it. But in that hour of trouble, all his thoughts were on the glory that he was going to get. For this reason he was able to shoulder many tribulations – ‘And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God’ (Hebrews 12:1,2). Just like Christ, we must also have the attitude of focussing on the glory and the joy of the next world. In the next world, we are to be the rulers. How much of joy-giving news is this? Yes, brethren! Our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20).Therefore, let us not be worried about things of this world and let us be joyful!