Jesus is the answer to overcoming this other power that is working within all of us to corrupt and pollute our joy. He is the answer to overcoming all the corruption that is flowing out of our old nature. We will explore this further but in a simple and direct bullet point our victory is found in more of Jesus rather than more stubborn effort and striving in our own strength. Our future does not have to be forcing a smile onto our face out of a sense of religious duty. We can walk in a genuine joy that is flowing from the abiding presence of Jesus within us. We can access a joy and strength that endures time and challenges and shines like a light in the darkness of this broken world. Jesus made us all this promise as He was raising up the original disciples.
“I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow.” John 15:11 NLT
Because of the influence of religious thinking in our nation, and the nations of world, most individuals do not immediately associate Jesus with joy. Depending on background and experience, the Name of Jesus may invoke all sorts of other feelings and thought processes. Most people immediately merge the concepts of church and Christ together and then respond to both like they are one. If church people were unloving or hypocritical then we choose to stay away from Jesus altogether even though He didn’t do anything wrong. If most church people we know appear sour and grumpy about the state of the world, we assume walking with Jesus must contribute to how they are acting. This is a mistake. Church is always an imperfect effort of mankind to organize and serve Jesus as a group. Made up of imperfect people, the resulting efforts and expressions are also never perfect. Christ Himself is perfect in every single way. When He promises us access to His joy, we should be lining up to find how to receive all we can.
The influence of religion has had one other effect that has influenced the rest of our spiritual culture in a detrimental way. The same way our joy is often fading and diminished in every other area of our lives, we find that our joy in knowing Christ diminishes as well. For those who have truly been born again and come into relationship with Jesus there should be joy! Scripture speaks of this so often it will take this entire project to look at all the references. JOY is supposed to be at the core of who Christians are. Paul made this abundantly clear in several letters as he instructed the first Christians.
“Always be joyful.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16 NLT
Christ has promised His joy is available to fill our hearts as we make this journey.
About the Author:
Born in the desert southwest and raised in a middle-class mining family, Walter Hill volunteered for the US Navy immediately after graduating high school. Deployments took him all over Europe, the Mediterranean and the Middle-East. His natural gift for communicating faith emerged at this time. Following his honorable discharge, he was almost immediately engaged in full time ministry, both traveling and local. He was invited to lead his first congregation at the age of 28. It grew significantly and three other pastorates—and a church plant—followed. Now, with over 25 years of ministry experience navigating the trials and triumphs of faith, he is sharing some of the lessons he’s learned in joy and resilience. Through his thoughtful storytelling, Walter invites readers to rediscover hope, deepen their faith and embrace the abundant life Christ offers. He’s been happily married for 34 years and has two adult children and one grandchild. Walter resides in Casper, Wyoming.
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