October 15, 2009

• Letter 2 on assurance and fighting for joy

  Before reading this post, If you've not yet done so, please read Letter 1 on assurance and fighting for joy...
  

  * * *

  Dear friend in Christ,

  I can see why you wrote what you did. I think what threw you was the phrase I used "fighting for joy."

  I do know that I can't seek joy itself but must be seeking Him. I so agree with that.

  But I do think there is a battle that goes on for joy, perhaps that's not a correct way of putting it. Perhaps better: a battle that goes on to know Him better.

  Though there is much more to it that I've been thinking about, and I am not going to get into all that now (some posts coming, I hope), I think part of the battle is in our thinking that the type of joy Paul had or the type of joy Stephen had while being stoned is only for certain Christians. Even though I would have said I was entitled to that as a child of God, I don't think I really believed it. But now I am more convinced than ever it is something God wants to give all His children--as much as I am also convinced that assurance of salvation/forgiveness of sins is also something He wants to give all His children.

  Perhaps you have already had this sense, so it's not an issue for you. But this is new to me.

  Think how much more effective we could be in laboring if in addition to assurance of forgiveness of sins we also had such a settled and abiding sense of God's joy. Think how much more powerful a testimony we could be when worldly concerns begin to storm around us, if we could stand firm in the joy of the Lord. The world is looking at us and wants to see what we'll do when all our props are pulled out from under us. They don't think much at all if we praise God when things are going well. But the crucial question is this: are we joyful even in the worst of circumstances?

  As we continue to be prone to every emotional twist and turn (I know I so tend to be ), we are going to stop marching or come down from the wall, stop building the boat, stop sowing seed, etc., etc. Anytime we stumble or stop in the race is lost time. I know none of us can walk perfectly and we will stumble from time to time, but can I not expect to have a more settled and steadfast ability to rejoice in the Lord, to know Him and have His joy fulfilled in me than I do at the present time?

  I am just beginning to think through these things and feel I only have a glimmer of what I believe God wants to give me/His children. Martyn Lloyd-Jones spoke about the glorious possibilities regarding the Christian life and I wrote that post about our being excited over a dead fish and a car wreck. I can see I'm not wanting to settle for what I have now (even though it – rather He – is so wonderful!), I want more of Him and more of whatever He has for me. (Of course, yes, I also do know what that also entails: more responsibility, more commitment, more risk, more challenge, etc.) But to know Him more and the extent of His love for me and to be filled with all the fullness of God. (The end of Ephesians 3.)

  Perhaps you have lived with this sense and expectation of joy (which I suspect you may have), but frankly, I've never even seen this as a real possibility in quite this way until now, though was beginning to do so not very long ago. I always knew I could and should have a greater joy in some way, but it was all very vague and fuzzy, and I wondered if I could really have it. The possibility was only a possibility; it was only "out there" there somewhere. In the past day or so now it seems more than a possibility...

  So as you wrote, let us enjoy Him! O, come let us adore Him! O, come let us enjoy Him! When we enjoy Him, He is glorified and we are happy! (Christian hedonism )

  Thanks again for "listening" and praying and caring.

  Your sister,
  Karen

  • 11:07 AM
  • 10 Comments