An ineffable and glorious joy

A lady of our church is known for her cheerful and sunny character. A few years ago, she came to my office to share devastating news with me. As she spoke, she remained incredibly composed and the softness of her mind surprised me. When we finished our conversation, she asked me sincerely : "Can I pray for you ?"

This dear sister began by telling me terrible news and ended up praying for me! I was amazed by his joy despite the very painful circumstances of his life.

The kind of joy this woman showed was normal for the New Testament church and it should be normal for us too. Should we be depressed because Jesus died for our sins and left the tomb ? Should we lament that one day we will be with the Lord for eternity ? Does the fact that our names are inscribed in the Book of Life make us sad ? No of course not ! All these things should give us great joy !

Peter wrote : "Whom you love without having seen him, in whom you believe without seeing him yet, rejoicing in an ineffable and glorious joy" (1 Peter 1: 8). Does an "ineffable and glorious joy" describe your church or mine ? That should be the case.

The Epistle of Paul to the Romans is a great theological document concerning justification by faith and other very important doctrines. But towards the end of his letter, the apostle declares that the kingdom of God is not a question of doctrinal positions, such as Calvinism or Arminianism. It is not a question of who is right in the debate on the kidnapping of the pre- or post-tribulation church. Paul says that the kingdom of God is a matter of "righteousness, peace and joy, by the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17).

The Apostle Paul described a life of joy that comes from the Holy Spirit. This is how great joy is, it makes us distinctive as disciples of Jesus Christ.

Jim Cymbala