Do you feel the joy of Christian life?
Jesus said very clearly that he wants you to be filled with joy!
Unfortunately, sometimes the Christian faith is seen as a bunch of rules that tell you what not to do. This paints Christianity in a negative light, making it appear that to be a Christian, one must constantly deny themselves what they want and forever be a gloomy person.
However, Jesus never wanted his followers to be pessimistic, approaching the world in a negative manner. In fact, he wanted his followers to experience joy.
As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. (John 15:9-11)
The Gospel is meant to be Good News, though we don’t always experience it in that way. Suffering and self-denial is certainly part of the Gospel, but those things are meant to lead us into a deeper joy that is beyond this world.
We don’t always focus on our own joy, even in the midst of great suffering, we can possess the peace and joy of God’s love. Jesus on the cross was the most joyful person in the world!
