“Tis the season to be jolly,” as the famous song says. While I’m certainly thankful that many people emphasize being jolly (joyful) this time of year, it is important to emphasize that the Christian has reason to be joyful throughout the year.
The Bible has quite a bit to say about being joyful. The word “joyful” appears 25 times in the KJV, while the word “joy” appears in it a staggering 165 times.
Joy in the Old Testament.
In the Old Testament, God’s people are often seen acting joyfully at military victories (1 Sam. 18:6), at the inauguration of kings (1 Kings 1:40), in song (1 Chr. 15:16), in giving (1 Chr. 29:9), and at the rededication of the temple (Ezra 3:12-13), among other events.
Joy is also a frequent occurrence in Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and even Job. Joy is also found within the writings of the prophets.
Needless to say, though, joy was an everyday mentality among God’s people during the Old Testament.
Joy in the New Testament.
The same could be said for us in the New Testament dispensation as well.
The New Testament practically opens with joy when the wise men “rejoiced with exceeding great joy” at the sight of the star that heralded Jesus’ birth (Matt. 2:10). Joy is described as an attitude that comes with acceptance of the Word of God (Matt. 13:20, 44). “The joy of thy Lord” is descriptive of entrance into heaven for the faithful (Matt. 25:21, 23).
Interestingly, both “fear and great joy” was the disposition from those who left Christ’s empty tomb to share the news that He had risen from the dead (Matt. 28:8). Joy is a defining characteristic of New Testament Christianity.
Joy Included in the Fruit of the Spirit.
That brings us to the fact that joy is included in the fruit of the Spirit:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (Gal. 5:22-23).
Take note: as essential to the Christian as love, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, and temperance (self-control) is, joy is just as essential.
When one reflects on this, surely, he must realize that worshiping God with a scowl on his face is unacceptable (John 4:24).
Surely, she must realize that giving offerings to God while harboring a grudge of stinginess in her heart cannot be what God desires (2 Cor. 9:7).
Surely, one must understand that we must strive for Christian unity with joy (Php. 2:2).
And surely, we must know that God expects our lives to be characterized by joy, peace in believing, and abounding in hope as we look forward to the next life in heaven (Rom. 15:13).
Chase Green is a good friend that I spent some time with in preaching school - he graduated in the class before me. Chase preaches for the Marietta Church of Christ in Marietta, Oklahoma.
Chase hosts the Everyday Christian podcast with the Scattered Abroad Network. Chase also writes on Substack about his family’s travels to national parks. Read more at Park Stars.
looking to Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right of the throne of God.
(Heb 12:2)