Real Talk with Roderick Barnes
Having His Joy
The genuine thrill of the soul is found not in having every desire but in doing the will of God... come what may. It was this joy that Jesus referred to in His conversation with the disciples (John 15:10-12). It was His as He served His Father faithfully. And it was His as He offered Himself sacrificially for the glory of His Father and the good of His flock. The joy of Jesus lifted Him when the world was trying to drag Him down. It kept Him going when going meant pain. And He wanted you and I to have it as we follow Him. His joy is ours for the keeping of His commandments.
This is a hard saying and some will not accept it. But where eternal life is unlocked by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, the joy thereof is loosed in faithfulness. We enter life through trust in Christ; that is once and for all. But we enter His joy over and over again as we endeavor to do His will.
Do you have His joy? You can. Trust Him for the saving of your soul through His work on the cross. In His dying He died for you and took on Himself the penalty of your crimes against God. There is salvation in Jesus alone. And then? And then step onto that straight and narrow road in unconditional commitment to keep His commandments. There is joy in just following Jesus.
--- The Gospel of According to John Chapter 15 Verses 10 through 12 ---
10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. - Jesus Christ