"Joy Is To Be Found In Holy Living" (Romans 14:17)

Father God intends the life of the Christ follower to be a life of joy! The life of the Christ follower is intended to be one that's described by an attitude of thanksgiving and praise that flows from confidence in God's sovereignty. The concept that holiness is associated with a gloomy disposition is a bad caricature. Biblically, just the opposite is true. Christ followers who walk in holiness experience genuine joy! Examine the words of Jesus. He said, "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full" (John 15:10-11). In this passage, joy and obedience are linked in a cause and effect manner. In other words, joy results from obedience. What does obedience have to do with holiness? Holiness is defined as, "Obedience to the will of God which conforms to the character of God." Brothers and sisters, only those who are obedient, those who are following hard after holiness will experience the joy that comes from the Father God! Holiness in the life of the Christ follower brings forth the joy of the Lord! How can this be? Let's examine the words of King David. He said, "In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever" (Psalm 16:11). David is speaking of the joy of fellowship with God. Genuine joy comes only from God, and He shares this joy with those who live in fellowship with Him! Recall, when David had committed the sins of adultery and murder, he lost his sense of God's joy simply because he lost fellowship with God! Later, we read of David's prayer to God. Notice what he says to God: "Restore to me the joy of Your salvation" (Psalm 51:12). In other words, A LIFE OF DISOBEDIENCE CAN'T RESULT IN A LIFE OF JOY! Joy is caused when we know that we're obeying the Lord and that we're no longer resisting Him in some particular area of our lives. This joy is obviously known when, after a long struggle between the Holy Spirit and our sinful natures (Galatians 5:17), we have by God's grace finally dealt with some sin that had previously dominated us! This, my friend, is called the joy of obedience! This takes us back to the words of our Lord Jesus in John 15:10-11! Praise God Forevermore! Your move. Be encouraged!