The Joys of the Christian Life

Luke 10:19-20

20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your
names are written in heaven." NIV

I have read this scripture many times and have understood it mean that our joy
should not be obtained from the results of our performance or even the temporary
things of this life; but rather, our joy should come from our enduring and everlasting
place in God’s book in heaven. This makes absolute sense, and is in accord with
many of Jesus’ other teachings:

Matt 6:19-21

19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy,
and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in
heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and
steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. NIV

Yet sometimes I, and many others, have taken these scriptures to convey that we
are not to receive joy from any of the temporal and earthly things of this world.
Following this idea leads to an avoidance of all pleasurable opportunities available
to us, as well as guilt in the indulgence of them. This eventually results in a very
difficult Christian life, where we endure all of the challenges, yet are prevented from
enjoying the rewards. This also creates a very burdensome and difficult experience
that have led some to discouragement and depression; and others have become so
disheartened and overburdened as to completely forsake the Christian life. This
lifestyle has also led to a portion of the bad reputation Christians receive in this
world, which have motivated society to adhere to the Billy Joel principle of “laughing
with the sinners, rather than crying with the saints.”

Yet, is this the lifestyle that God designed for His people? Does God only want us to
endure the difficulties of the Christian walk, without reaping the rewards in this life?
Does God only want us to live 60, 70, or 80 years in humble sobriety and misery,
while waiting for our death or the second coming to experience the only joys and
pleasures of life? Though, on the surface, this idea seems spiritual, unfortunately it
goes against examples found in scripture. Let’s look at what the bible says:

Acts 14:17

17 Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving
you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of
food and fills your hearts with joy ." NIV

1 Tim 6:17
17 … but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our
enjoyment . NIV

Eccl 5:19-20

19 Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to
enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work — this is a gift of God. 20 He
seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with
gladness of heart. NIV

Eccl 11:9-10

9 Be happy , young man, while you are young,

and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth.

Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see,

but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment.

10 So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body,

for youth and vigor are meaningless. NIV

James 5:13

Is anyone happy ? Let him sing songs of praise. NIV

Deut 24:5

5 If a man has recently married, he must not be sent to war or have any other duty
laid on him. For one year he is to be free to stay at home and bring happiness to the
wife he has married. NIV

In these scriptures, we see a term called happiness (defined as a temporal joy), that
God is the source of, and of which human beings are encouraged to partake in as
they live their day to day lives on this earth. In Acts, Paul recounts how God
provides food and water that fills the peoples’ hearts with joy. He also credits God
as being the source of all things, which He uses for the purpose of our enjoyment.
In Ecclesiastes, it speaks of how God gives man wealth and possessions, and allows
him to enjoy them; as well as encouraging young men and women to responsibly
seek what brings happiness. In James it encourages those who are happy to sing
songs of praise. In Deuteronomy, it encourages a recently married man to leave his
post as a soldier to bring happiness to his wife.

What can be gleaned from these scriptures is that happiness in our lifetime is not
only allowed and accepted by God but it is encouraged by God, because He
provides the opportunities that lead to our happiness. Happiness is also something
that God uses to make our lives more enjoyable, which help us to balance the
inevitable difficulties that are part of this adventure we call life. This makes some
sense, since similarly, most parents’ joy comes from the happiness and well being
of their children. Why should God be any different?

Yet, as God mentions in Ecclesiastes, how do we know that what we gain happiness
from and what we get involved in is approved by God? Well, God has set certain
parameters in place to protect and lead His followers, which are like a universal
picket fence that He has established so that His followers would not purposely or
inadvertently go against his will. These include:

Sin:

Gal 5:13-14

13 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge
the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. NIV

Spiritual Principles:

Col 3:12-13

12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with
compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. NIV

Gal 5:22-25

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions
and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. NIV

Acting within faith (according to conscience):

Rom 14:22-23

23 But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not
from faith ; and everything that does not come from faith is sin. NIV

Not causing your brother or sister to stumble:

1 Cor 10:31-32

31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32
Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— NIV

Acting out of wisdom:

1 Cor 10:23
23 "Everything is permissible"-but not everything is beneficial . "Everything is
permissible"-but not everything is constructive. NIV

1 Cor 6:12

12 "Everything is permissible for me"-but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is

permissible for me"-but I will not be mastered by anything. NIV

Eccl 7:18

…The man who fears God will avoid all [extremes ]. NIV

Everything that we have opportunity to do in our lives, God gives us the freedom to
do, as long as we do not go against the parameters described above. Since it is in
our nature to pursue situations that bring us happiness, to do so would mean that if
we desire to do something, it would be wise to ask ourselves the following questions
before we do it:

1. Is what I want to be involved in sinful?

2. Is it going against any spiritual principles?

3. Do I feel uncomfortable doing it (in other words, does it violate my

conscience?)?

4. Will it cause others to stumble in their faith?

5. Will the results not be beneficial or constructive to me or anyone else? Or,

am I being extreme in what I am involved in?

If we answer no to all of the questions above, we have the freedom to engage in

most of what we have opportunity to be involved in. Granted, every situation is
different, and there will be situations that are a lot more difficult to ascertain, yet
the above questions will help set the foundation for godly decision making.

Therefore I can live my life enjoying pleasurable activities such as eating, sleeping,
reading, listening to music, engaging in hobbies, entertainment, and engaging in
any activity that may not serve any greater purpose than bringing temporary
happiness to me and those around me. Consequently, such enjoyment of life will
not only help alleviate and balance the difficulties that life generally brings, but it
can lead to more gratitude toward God, and a greater appreciation of His grace in
our lives. This, in turn, can lead to a greater love and obedience toward God for the
opportunities that He has graciously provided for us and that fill our hearts with joy.

Tips for living a joyful life:

1. Make a list: Make a list of all of things you enjoy doing (and some you would
like to try out) and make time for them by injecting them into your schedule;
as well as making room in your budget for them (for example I budget out $5
per week to go to a movie matinee every Friday of every week).

2. Explore: Try out new things that you think you may enjoy (i.e.: hiking,
working out, bike riding, art, etc.). Bring a friend along to make it a more
joyful experience.

3. Join social clubs: If you know what you like to do, find a group that does it
on a consistent basis. It is a great way to make new friends, which enhances
the experience and your joy in what you involved in.

4. Take breaks: Take breaks throughout your busy day to do things that you
enjoy. They may be small things, but they help balance a busy day at work or
at home with the kids (for instance I do something that I enjoy every two
hours to help me stay sane throughout my busy day).