Should a Christian Be Joyful?
God gives joy and Christ was appointed to give it, since the Gospels, which treat of him, are the "good tidings" (Ecc. 2:26; Is. 61:3; Luke 2:10,11) and God's Word affords joy (Neh. 8:12; Jer. 15:16). Joy is promised to saints, prepared for them and enjoined on them (Ps. 132:16; Is. 35:10; Ps. 97:11; Ps. 32:11; Phil. 3:1). It is experienced by believers, peacemakers, the just, the wise, and discreet (Luke 24:52; Prov. 12:20; Prov. 21:15; Prov. 15:23). The joy of the saints is in God, Christ and the Holy Ghost; for their election, salvation, deliverance from bondage, manifestations of goodness, temporal blessings, supplies of grace, divine protection and support and the hope of glory (Ps. 89:16; Rom. 5:11; Luke 1:47; Rom. 14:17; Luke 10:20; Ps. 21:1; Ps. 105:43; II Chron. 7:10; Joel 2:23; Is. 12:13; Ps. 5:12; Ps. 28:7; Rom. 5:2). These being grand blessings and advantages, their joy should be great, abundant, exceeding, animated, unspeakable, full, constant (Zec. 9:9; II Cor. 8:2; Ps. 21:6; Ps. 32:11; I Pet. 1:8; II Cor. 6:10; I Thess. 5:16) and it should be manifest in every condition of life, such as in hope, sorrow, under trials and persecutions, in calamities and afflictions (Rom. 12:12; II Cor. 6:10; Jas. 1:2; I Pet. 1:6; Matt. 5:11,12; Hab. 3:17,18). Such joy is made complete by the favor of God, by faith in Christ, the abiding in him and his Word, and by answer to prayer (Acts 2:28; Rom. 15:13; John 15:10,11; John 17:13; John 16:24). When so conceived and practiced, the saints will serve God with gladness (Ps. 100:2). It will strengthen them (Neh. 8:10); they will use it in all their religious services, have h in all their undertakings, and it shall finally be their reward at the judgment day (Eze. 6:22; Deu. 12:18; Matt 25:21).
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