The Apostle Paul Experienced True Joy

in life. He also definitely understood its source. In his letter to the Roman's he raises his pen to a crescendo of praise with the words: "Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sins are put out of sight" (Romans 4:7). So how far out of sight are they? David answers that question for us. "He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west" (Psa 103:12). Since east and west will never meet, when God forgives our sins, they are lost in infinity.

However, to experience a true joy the forgiveness of sins must be beneficial to the one who has been made right with God. That benefit is grounded in the truth that God is the "source of hope" (Roman 15:13). And what is that expectation — it is "our confident hope of salvation" (Romans 5:4). It is important to note that when we talk about "hope" in a biblical sense it does not carry the connotation of "wishing" something will happen. Hope in relation to God is a guaranteed reality.

For the Apostle Paul his primary source of joy, that is beyond the knowledge of his salvation, was directly related to those to whom he was a spiritual father. He told the Thessalonian church that "you are our pride and joy" (1 Thes 2:20). Their response to the message of the good news of Jesus Christ gave him so much joy that it influenced the attitude he had when he came into God's presence for worship and prayer (see 1 Thes 3:9, 10).

Paul spent considerable time in prayer for the churches and his co-workers. He told the church at Rome "Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God" (Romans 1:9). When encouraging his colleague Timothy he told him "Night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers" (2 Tim 1:3). Although this particular spiritual activity was demanding he confidently stated "Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy" (Phil 1:4).

Life was difficult for Paul. In his service for Christ he had been among other things beaten with rods, stoned by angry mobs and thrown into prison. However, he had learned that the true source of delight was "living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17). Because of the trials of his missionary experiences it is evident his joy did not come from external factors. At one point he described the situation that he and his fellow travellers endured as follows: "Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything" (2 Cor. 6:10).

The Christians joy is produced by the workings of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22) within our inner most being. Are there currently some events in your life that are sapping you of your joy? Remember, true joy does not depend upon being happy. Happiness is a fickle emotion that relies totally upon a continuing set of positive and pleasurable experiences. Joy, on the other hand, requires an abiding relationship with the Lord of lords and King of kings. The result is a joy that nothing in the world can take away when we are walking hand in hand with our Lord.

Copyright. Bruce March 2006

Note: All quotes taken from the New Living Translation Second Edition.