May the mumbling commence!
Christian joy is strong, complete, unwavering, and life-giving. This joy comes through prayer and is protected by prayer. True Christian joy is bracketed by prayer and has prayer all the way between.
But what is the goal of Christian joy, Spirit-filled joy? The goal of Christian joy is the worship and praise of our heavenly Father. Worship and praise in the Lord is at the epicenter of this life-changing joy that the Spirit gives us. Beyond this worship and praise nothing else matters. How strong is that life-changing epicenter of Christian joy? Read from Philippians chapter two (NRSV):
Do all things without murmuring and arguing, so that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine like stars in the world.
It is by your holding fast to the word of life that I can boast on the day of Christ that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. But even if I am being poured out as a libation over the sacrifice and the offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you – and in the same way you also must be glad and rejoice with me. (Verses 14-18)
Worship and praise of the Lord trumps murmuring and arguing – something that seems to be quite popular these days. Murmuring and arguing draws crowds in which people often feel quite alone. Joy found in the worship and praise of God soundly defeats murmuring and arguing. That in itself is a miracle!
But, there’s more. Worship and praise of the Lord also soundly defeats the possibility of the end of life here on this earth. The joy contained in full worship and praise of God reminds us that Jesus is the Word of life. Nothing can take that life away from us – even the sacrifice of our life for the sake of Christ Jesus.
We always have strong cause to rejoice and have joy because, in part, to the worship and praise of our Creator. So, our list for Christian joy is expanded. Christian joy is strong, complete, unwavering, life-giving and worshipful.
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
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