Tag: Jesus focus

The Joy of Jesus

On By Susan Cort JohnsonIn Jesus, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Jesus went to the cross for the joy set before Him. I know this joy.1 Because He lives, I live.

My greatest experience was the moment I walked into the presence of God. It happened in a split second, as if blinders were pulled from my eyes, allowing me to see Jesus. At that moment I understood who He was. I knew Him.

When I read that all things were created through Jesus and for Jesus2 I understand why I struggled in the ways of the world before I came to know Jesus as my Lord and Savior.

I floundered like a swimmer in water over her head, caught in the current of a world in which I did not belong. This current pulled me into life choices that just did not seem to fit. Now, I no longer struggle to keep my head above water, because my feet are on solid ground.

Because Jesus went to the cross to redeem me from the clutches of this world, I belong. And He is restoring what was lost when Adam and Eve were stumbled by Satan into doubting God prompting them to go their own way. As a result, they experienced death. First spiritual death, and eventually physical death.

We are spiritually dead until we receive spiritual life through faith in Christ. (Eph. 2:1; Romans 3:23)

Life is different after the second birth, the birth of our spirit.3 Once we are reborn, instead of struggling to shape ourselves into the mold society requires, we begin to discover who we were created to be. There is no greater compliment than to be told you are reflecting the attributes of Jesus.

This “joy” is more than a feeling, it is a quality of life.4

“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11

There is joy as we mature in Christ. This is a shared joy among all believers. Paul wrote of it in his letter to the Thessalonians telling them that their unwavering faith was his joy.5

This maturity brings like mindedness. We have the same love; we are of one accord and of one mind. We do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than ourselves and look out for the interests of others. This mindset is ours in Christ Jesus.6 What joy this brings to the body of believers.

 Joy may also come out of suffering and sorrow for Christ’s sake, writes Terry Miethe in “The Compact Dictionary of Doctrinal Words.” He sights several Scriptures to back his conclusion.

The apostle Paul suffered to help the church mature, making the word of God fully known.7 The apostle Peter told believers they are blessed when insulted for the name of Christ, because the Spirit of glory and of God rested upon them.8 The author of Hebrews wrote that sometimes Christians are publicly exposed to reproach and affliction and sometimes they are partners with those so treated.9

Of most importance is the fact this inexplicable joy is a gift of the Holy Spirit.10 We are given this Spirit at our rebirth, and He makes it possible to experience “chara,” the koine Greek term translated into English as “joy.”

 C.S. Lewis describes this joy as “an unsatisfied desire which is itself more desirable than any other satisfaction.” He adds that the only thing in common this Spiritual joy has with happiness or pleasure is the fact that anyone who has experienced it will want it again.11 

 Lewis wrote that he found this joy to be a Person. And so, it is. In John chapter 15 Jesus tells us to abide in his love by keeping his commandments. He tells us this so his joy may be in us, and our joy may be full. We remain in his presence by walking in the light as he is in the light. Not going our own way but His. And this walk was made possible when He went to the cross, paying the penalty for our sins and thus redeeming us. And now restoring us for His glory.

     “He is risen!” “He has risen indeed!”

Happy Easter.

©2023 Susan Cort Johnson *All Rights Reserved

Let’s Talk:

1-How have you discovered “joy” in the Person, Jesus Christ?

2-What special ways do you have of commemorating the victory of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ?

References:

1-Hebrews 12:2

2-Col 1:16

3-John chapter 3

4-The Compact Dictionary of Doctrinal Words by Terry L. Miethe published by Bethany House Publishers Minneapolis, Minnesota.

5-1 Thess. 2:19-20

6-Phil 2:2-5

7-Col 1:24-25

8-1 Peter 4:13-14

9-Hebrews 10:33

10-Gal 5:22

11-Surprised by Joy by C.S. Lewis, as quoted in The Compact Dictionary of Doctrinal Words.

Stripping Off Weights to Win the Race

On By Susan Cort JohnsonIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

     We can shed responsibilities to lighten our load as quickly as we strip off a sweater when we are too hot. It is reasonable to think resigning from a committee, stepping away from a place of service, or just saying “no” when asked for a favor is the weight that slows us down in the race God set before us (Hebrews 12:1).

     What do you think is meant by “lay aside every weight” or “throw off everything that hinders?” Not sure, I decided to do a little research.

     The Tony Evans Bible Commentary states the author of Hebrews was addressing spiritually immature Christians who were unwilling to grow through living by faith. He writes: “We need to jettison unbelief and anything in our lives that might trip us up spiritually and prevent us from running the race well all the way to the finish line.”1

     When we learn Scripture and are firmly persuaded God can accomplish all He promises, we proceed with confidence. We are no longer indecisive. In the past, I would train to run marathons and other types of physical running races. To make the distance, I learned techniques for sustaining my physical stamina such as drinking water along the way and carrying nutrition bars to eat during those energy slumps. I had faith in the advice of other experienced runners and put it into practice so I could finish the race well.

     F.F. Bruce writes in The International Bible Commentary the earliest known Greek manuscript of Hebrews uses the word euperispastos, which means ‘easily distracting.’ Later a slightly different Greek word replaced it, translated into English as “weight” or “hindrance.” This may refer to drifting, dullness, lack of spiritual exercise, or immaturity.2

     Physical activities may have to be eliminated to stop drifting… what keeps you from attending church, reading your Bible, setting aside time to pray for others? Has God’s Word become dull or are you interested in learning, excited to delve into a good Bible study that helps you dig deeper? Do you worship God? Can you explain the gospel message to an unbeliever? We can become easily distracted by the world and lay aside spiritual pursuits.

     In The Word for Today New Testament Study Guide, Chuck Smith writes: “God has a plan for each of our lives—the race that is set before us. We are to remove any weights and sins that would impede our progress or slow us down. Some activities are not sin, but they do encumber us and make the race more difficult.”3 Too much time on the golf course, growing our career, or pursuing a hobby?

     My conclusion is that there is no exact list I can write out. We all must remain vigilant, consistently examining our heart, our ways.

     We can look for signs of unbelief that might cause our faith to falter. Bruce writes the way to avoid distraction is to keep our eyes on Jesus who is the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). “As author, He himself participated in believing. He was controlled by faith not by sight.” He was perfecter “for all that faith hopes for finds its consummation in Him.”

     I think of the marathons I completed and how I sometimes had to push through to the end. Running 26.2 miles is not easy. Yet the goal to reach the finish line makes runners endure any pain or discomfort that might distract them, take them off course. Pinpoint the distractions and we may find those weights or hinderances we are to strip off.

Join the Conversation:

1-Have you studied this passage of Scripture? What do you think the author refers to by “weights or hinderances”?

2-Can you pinpoint a few distractions that might take us off course?

References:

1-The Tony Evans Bible Commentary, by Tony Evans, published by Holman Bible Publishers in Nashville, Tennessee (2019).

2-The International Bible Commentary, by F.F. Bruce, published by Guideposts, Carmel, New York (1986).

3-New Testament Study Guide by Chuck Smith, published by Word for Today (2005).