Wowed By God's Joy
In this article, we will continue exploring the topic of joy and how it relates to our relationship with Jesus Christ. We will delve into the importance of pointing others to Jesus and living out our purpose in Him. This is based off the message given by Joel Edds on December 10th. You can watch that here.
The Power of Pointing Others to Jesus
The joy we experience in our relationship with Jesus is so incredible that we can't help but want others to know the same joy. Whether it's in our marriages, friendships, or interactions with people we may not even like, the key to foundational joy lies in pointing others to Jesus Christ.
Leading in Marriage
For married couples, it's essential to make Jesus the center of their relationship. Wives should strive to lead their husbands and children to Jesus, while husbands should take on the responsibility of leading their wives and children in the same direction. It's not about being an alpha male or a godly woman; it's about being a couple that loves, supports, and prays for each other while keeping Christ at the center.
Often, couples may find themselves arguing and complaining about the things they do for each other without acknowledging the love and effort behind those actions. It's important to be honest about our love languages and not lie about them. Instead of focusing on love languages, let's focus on leading each other to Jesus Christ and showing His love on a daily basis.
The Greatest Commandment
Jesus gave us a new commandment in John 13:34-35: "Love one another as I have loved you." This commandment is not about seeking affirmation or love from others but about reflecting the love of Christ. When we love one another, people will see Jesus in us, and that is the key to foundational joy.
Our Purpose in Jesus
Our purpose in life is not about ourselves; it's about pointing others to Jesus Christ. God created and designed us with a specific purpose in mind. He loves us and gave His Son for us, not because we are last, but because we are first. Our purpose is to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39).
Regardless of our spiritual gifts, talents, or blessings, our purpose will always be about making Jesus bigger and better. It's about using our purpose to love Jesus more, love others more, and point others towards Jesus Christ. This is the true joy that God has for us as believers.
The Choice of Joy
True joy is not complicated; it's a choice. We all have a sinful nature that tempts us to live for ourselves and seek temporary happiness. But true joy comes from choosing to make Jesus Christ the most important relationship in our lives. It's about committing to a daily relationship with Him, spending time in His word, and praying to Him.
Living a life of joy doesn't mean that we won't face challenges or difficult circumstances. Just like Paul, who was often in prison and faced shipwrecks, we can still experience joy in the midst of adversity. Paul's joy came from knowing that nothing in this world could take Jesus away from him. Even in prison, he continued to point others to Jesus and share the gospel.
Living a Life of Joy
Living a life of joy is not about chasing temporary happiness or relying on external circumstances. It's about choosing to live out our purpose in Jesus Christ. It's about finding joy in knowing Him more intimately and using our spiritual gifts and talents to love Him and others.
We often chase after things that we think will bring us joy, only to be disappointed when they end. But true joy goes beyond temporary pleasures. It is found in a deep and intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, where we can experience His love, grace, and purpose for our lives.
Making the Choice
Choosing joy is not always easy. We have to battle against our sinful nature every day, which tempts us to live for ourselves and seek our own happiness. But when we choose to make Jesus Christ the center of our lives, we can experience true joy that surpasses all understanding.
It's a choice to prioritize our relationship with Jesus, to spend time in His word, and to seek His will for our lives. It's a choice to use our purpose to point others to Him and to love Him and others with all our heart, soul, and mind.
Conclusion
Joy is not complicated, but it is a choice. It's a choice to make Jesus Christ the most important relationship in our lives and to live out our purpose in Him. When we choose joy, we can experience a life that is full of purpose, love, and fulfillment.
Let's commit to recommitting our lives to Jesus Christ and seeking joy in Him. And for those who are searching for a relationship with Jesus, know that it all starts with Him. Choose Jesus, and you will find the true joy that your heart longs for.