Perfect Joy

Perfect Joy

“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be perfect.” John 15:11. [Norw.]

Jesus said this to His disciples in connection with His exhortations about keeping His commandments and abiding in His love. V. 9-10. From this we can conclude that only obedience to God’s commandments leads to perfect joy. It is only by dealing with people in love—especially those closest to us—as one who lays down their life for their friends, that we are led to perfect joy.

Most people associate the concept of joy with a life of prosperity, a life of success, a life without pain, a life of satisfying their own desires and achieving their own dreams and wishes.

But this is a false and fleeting joy. The perfect joy Jesus wants to give us is completely independent of our external circumstances and situations of life. There is only one thing that can rob us of our joy: living according to our own sinful nature.

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” Jas. 1:2-4.

When I lack patience, I also lack joy. Why is that? Because impatience robs me of joy. Our faith is to be tested, and it is in the testing that we are tempted. James writes that enduring in our temptations produces patience. If I become impatient in my temptations, then my joy disappears. It is impossible for impatience and joy to coexist. This is true about all sinful tendencies in a person. To the extent that I give in to them, my joy disappears. When the sinful tendencies in a temptation or tribulation gain control of a human mind, joy disappears. In order for joy to return, sin must be driven out. An acknowledgment and a cleansing have to take place.

The more purified we become from sin and self-life, the deeper and more unshakable our joy becomes. It is written about Jesus, that He “loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your companions.” Heb. 1:9. It was not the unrighteousness which was committed against Him that Jesus hated, but rather the unrighteousness to which He was tempted by His own flesh. It is the inner, sharp distinction between right and wrong in my own decisions and priorities that causes the oil of gladness to flow for me when I choose what is right. Then it is only my own unrighteousness, the sin in my own flesh, that stands in the way of the oil of gladness flowing in my life. In other words, it’s not the unrighteousness I experience from others that I should detest, but the unrighteousness in myself. All self-life represents unrighteousness.

James also exhorts us to pray for wisdom. When I lack wisdom in my situations, I also lack joy. All demands and expectations towards my companions come from folly, and that destroys joy. In folly you can, for example, meddle in other people’s business. This brings unnecessary suffering and causes you to lose your joy and zest for life. Those who live their lives in love and thankfulness are much better off than those who live their lives in hatred, suspicion, conflict and demands.

“Love life and see good days,” is an expression Peter uses. How wise it is to keep your tongue from speaking deceit, to turn away from evil and do good, to seek peace and pursue it! In truth, this is a fountain of joy! 1 Pet. 3:10-11.

“You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore,” David writes in Ps. 16:11.