Weaponizing Joy (2)

Types of Joy

Divine Joy and Worldly Joy

The joy of a Christian is not the joy of the world for it is of a totally different nature.

Joy, as perceived in the world, is elusive as it is contingent upon circumstances.

Professing Christians live in disappointment because many still walk “According to the flesh.”

However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.—Romans 8:9 (Paul)

Divine Joy comes from the Life of the Spirit of God who dwells within the child of God.

The joy of the Lord is our strength.

The Exhortation - To Greatly Rejoice

We are instructed from God’s divine word to not merely rejoice, but to greatly rejoice!

To greatly rejoice is to exult in the joy we possess in Christ.

Peter is exhorting his readers, who are undergoing severe persecutions, to triumph in their Joy!

The Source of Divine Joy is In Christ

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice…!—1 Peter 1:3-6

We Rejoice Over God’s Mercy

According to His great mercy (God) has caused us to be born again. —Peter

Our joy stems from the mercy God showed to us, in that, He did not refuse us under His wrath, but He accepted us into His grace.

“Whosoever shall call upon the Lord will be saved.”

His Salvation is founded upon His Son, Jesus Christ, who suffered the full penalty of our sin upon Himself.

Jesus was the Lamb of God sacrificed for our sin.

He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all.—Romans 8:32 (Paul)

This is the love of God!

When God saves a person, He pours His divine love into their hearts through His Holy Spirit.

Once we have experienced the Love of God, how can we do anything but rejoice?

We Rejoice for Our Our New Life in Christ

“He has caused us to be born again.”—Peter

The person we used to be is not the person we are now!

God does not make us better; He makes us whole!

Your sins are forgiven.

Your record of past sin is purged / cleansed.

Satan’s work in you is destroyed.

Sin’s power is annulled.

God’s Spirit is given to you and abides in you.

The righteousness of Jesus Christ is imputed into your life. You are not merely considered righteous; you are made righteous; you have been justified.

God has saved you to the uttermost!

There is good news, God makes saints out of sinners! How can we do anything but rejoice?

We Rejoice over Our Hope

“According to His great mercy (God) has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”—Peter

Death is the lot of all mankind for “The wages of sin is death.”

However, the one who knows Christ, though he may die, yet will he live for the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

When one is prepared to die, then can they freely live.

Present circumstances, good or bad, are not eternal. Therefore,

“Set your affections on things above and not on the things of the earth.”—Paul

With victory over death, how can we do anything but rejoice?

We Rejoice for our Our Inheritance

An Inheritance is the acquisition of real property.

Until it is received, it is a delayed possession, but it is our possession all the same.

God has made His work known to the world by disclosing His plan in His word.

However, the world has not

“Believed our report.”—Isaiah

This age of time is coming to an end.

God is going to make a new Heaven and a new earth.

God has divided the real estate of His eternal kingdom among His people as He divided the land of Canaan among the twelve tribes of Israel.

Those in Christ have deeded property in the eternal kingdom of God.

Our inheritance is “reserved in Heaven.”

How can you have God’s promise of victory over death, and eternal life (with a home built by God) and do anything but rejoice?

Our Joy is a Weapon

With our desire for, and our faith in, these truths, we can triumph through the fiery trials of our faith.

In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. —1 Peter 1:6