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Romans 12:9-16.
“If you have the joy of Jesus, could you at least let your face know about it?!” The first time I heard those words in a worship service unfortunately wasn’t the last. This passive-aggressive, snarky jab from a struggling pastor directed toward the people missed the point of “joy” entirely. In the desire to coax some positive expressiveness out of the people, the pastor misunderstood the true nature and source of Christian joy.
Paul helps us in this passage from Romans. “Be joyful in hope” he says (12:12, emphasis added). The “in hope” part is important. As Christians, we are people who have a hope beyond all other hopes: we believe in the resurrection. We believe even death is not the end, and that in the end, just as Jesus was raised from the dead, so too, will we be raised to newness of life.
In the midst of everything life throws at us, we can hear the voice of God whispering: “I will heal you.” This promise—this hope—is the source of our joy. It’s a joy that runs much deeper than slapping on a happy face during a worship service. It’s a joy that knows where we are headed: toward the resurrection. May you know that joy on this Christmas Day.
Author: Mark Hendrickson
The post Be Joyful in Hope first appeared on Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living.
