By Pastor J.D. Link

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Where does real joy come from as a Christian? Does it come from never being confronted or challenged? Does it come from never being corrected or rebuked? Does it come from never being held accountable? Never being held to a higher standard? Unfortunately, many Christians believe this is the case. As long as I’m never “called on the carpet” about anything, then I’m happy. However, if I’m corrected or chastised in any way; well I’m out of here! You wouldn’t have lasted long around Jesus. Jesus would correct people in short order when they needed correcting; and they either received the correction and repented and learned from it - or they got mad and left. As it says in Ecclesiastes, “There is nothing new under the sun.” Many Christians today just get mad and leave. This is not the Disciple’s way.

I understand if you’ve been in an unhealthy, controlling, & manipulating situation, and need to get out. There is nothing wrong with that. But that is a lot different than someone who gets mad and leaves any time they are confronted. Where is the humility? Where is the teachable spirit? Where is the heart that longs to be like Christ, and is willing to change in order to be like Him? Where is the maturity in the Body of Christ today? God help us. It is embarrassing the way many Christians throw temper tantrums. We need to be disciples. We need to be teachable and humble. If the preaching or reading of God’s Word convicts us, then we need to humble ourselves and repent - not get offended and stomp off in a hissy. Can you imagine Peter getting all offended and hittin’ the road because Jesus just called him satan (Mk 8:33)? I don’t think so. Peter wasn’t that shallow. He was committed.

Again, I understand that in some situations, it’s not the Word of God that has offended; it’s the person speaking it. We just need to make sure we know the difference in our own heart. Am I mad because that person came across kind of rude; or am I mad because that word from God applied directly to me. Be honest with yourself. Read Psalm 119 carefully. It is long, but it does you good. True disciples of Christ submit to His Word. They are humble, and willing to be corrected in love. They aren’t afraid for light to be shined in the darkness.

True joy has everything to do with being smack-dab in the middle of God’s will because you’ve committed your entire existence to Him. It has little to do with your circumstances. True joy is not dependant on circumstances. Worldly joy is dependant on circumstances. If your healthy, all the bills are paid, you got the promotion, your candidate won the race, the kids are being good, etc.; then your real joyful. Well big deal. Who isn’t happy when everything is going their way. It’s when you can walk in joy when little is going your way, that the tale is really told. Let me tell you the truth: when you finally get sick of having one foot in the world and straddling the fence, and really commit your entire life to Jesus - that’s when true joy will start to operate in your life. True joy comes by accepting the challenge; not running from it.

I strongly encourage you to read the following passages, then really think before you give everything over to God. You’re likely to get back some of what you give up - but you have to be willing first to give it up (like Abraham & Isaac), even if you get none of it back. Besides, if God gives none of it back to you; then you don’t want it anyway. The passages are: Mt. 10:32-39, 16:24-26, Mk 8:34-38, Lk 9:23-26, 1Cor 15:31, Lk 14:25-35. These are some pretty serious verses of Scripture, and you need to think when you read. Being a disciple of Jesus Christ isn’t impossible; but it does require sacrifice and commitment. Are you willing?

I pray this has blessed, helped, and challenged you. God does not require perfection, but He does want to see a change of direction. Until next time, rejoice in The Lord! (Phil 4:4)