Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. -Philippians 4:4
Recently I was in a situation that brings me great joy to think about but it also brings sadness. The joy comes from the situation itself and the sadness from my reaction and the way I handled the situation at the time. Now out of all of this I have begun to think about why it is that I acted that way and how I could let my joy be stolen from me. Do you know what conclusion I came to? Do you know who the culprit was? Me and my sin. My sin stole my joy. My selfishness did not allow me to look beyond my own expectations and feelings long enough to take joy in the situation presented to me. Not only did it not allow me to take joy in that situation but my actions also stole the joy from someone very close to me who was also involved.
I know that I am probably rambling and anyone who reads this is wondering what point I am trying to make. Let me enlighten you: SIN STEALS YOUR JOY. You become so wrapped up in your own wants, desires, expectations, and self that you cannot see the wonderful gift that your Father is presenting you. You cannot see Him or hear from Him when you are too busy listening to your own voice telling you that life isn't fair and this isn't the way you wanted this to go. The world tells you that you deserve the best and that anyone who says different doesn't love you or care about you and you should leave them behind. But God's Word tells us that we deserve death (Romans 6:23; Romans 3:23). God's Word tells us that it is by GRACE ALONE that we are able to come into the Father's presence at all (Romans 9:16; Ephesians 2:8-9). This thought alone should be cause for great joy in our lives!
It is an unfortunate thing for the Christian to be melancholy. If there is any man in the world that has a right to have a bright, clear face and a flashing eye, it is the man whose sins are forgiven him, who is saved with God's salvation.
-Charles Spurgeon
Brothers and sisters, I plead with you not to let the sin in your life steal your joy. You may be in a situation similar to mine where you don't recognize your own selfishness or the effects of your sin on others around you. Search your heart. Ask the Lord to bring this sin to light so that you may repent! Ask the Lord to return to you the "joy of your salvation" (Psalm 51:12).
Sorrow for sin should be the keenest sorrow; joy in the Lord should be the loftiest joy. -Charles Spurgeon
I must confess that I did not come to these conclusions on my own. I had help from a very good and sweet friend that spoke Truth to me and made me see my sin and what I had allowed it to do.
Preach it.
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