The Proclaimer

Joy Unspeakable

Rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory: receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:8, 9).

True joy in Christ is not a superficial, frivolous gaiety dependent upon favorable circumstance.  It is, rather, a frame of mind that proceeds from a true realization of how truly blessed we are as God’s children.  It is the product of knowing God’s love for us and the triumph that is ours in Christ regardless of circumstance.  It is truly the product of understanding that after the suffering comes the glory and “that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us-ward” (Rom. 8:18).

The New Testament is a book of joy.  The word “joy” (chara) occurs sixty times, with the verb form “rejoice” (chairein) used seventy-two times.  The normal Greek greeting both in speech and letters is the word chairein and is usually translated simply “Greetings.”  But a full literal translation would be “Joy be with you!”  Such a greeting was used by James (James 1:1) and Paul (2 Cor. 13:11) and by the church in Jerusalem to brethren in Antioch (Acts 15:23).  It was used by the angel in announcing the birth of Christ (Luke 1:28) and by the risen Christ to the women who had come to mourn (Matt. 28:9).

It is joy that is the distinguished atmosphere of the Christian’s life, for it remains a constant regardless of what happens.  Hence, Paul can write, “Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, Rejoice” (Phil 4:4).  A joyless life is not a Christian life.  In fact every virtue and all knowledge is to irradiate with joy (Col. 1:9-11).

True joy and happiness is a state of mind.  It is something learned.  It is something over which we do have control.  Paul said, “But godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Tim. 6:6), and further states to the Philippians, “I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content” (Phil. 4:11).  The Christian’s joy comes from introspection.  It has nothing to do with things, nor is it dependent upon circumstance.  It is a product of abiding in the love of the Father: “Even as the Father hath loved me, I also have loved you: abide ye in my love.  If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.  These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full” (John 15:9-12).

Why is this joy “unspeakable” or indescribable?  Because it is the product of looking to “receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.”  While our faith has not yet been realized, that is, we have not yet gotten to heaven, we do have the promise of glory.  As the Hebrew writer expresses it, we have “tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the age to come” (Heb. 6:5). 

Today some have lost the joy of discipleship because they’ve lost sight of heaven.  They have lost sight of what’s truly important in life, the result of which is loss of this unspeakable joy.  For this cause Paul writes, “Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth” (Col. 3:2).

                                                                                                               -- Clark Dugger

The Proclaimer