Here's how most Christians in 2022 differ from the early New Testament Christians: We allow happenings to determine our happiness. Everything is based upon our circumstances. It's based upon what's going on that particular day, at that certain moment in our life. Our mood is based on external circumstances rather than inner peace and contentment inside of us. We can get pretty attached to our creature comforts, but our first world problems probably wouldn't convince the Apostle Paul to feel sorry for us. He's sitting in a prison cell with chains on his wrists. He has absolutely nothing. And yet he would tell you that he has everything because he has Christ and because he has Christ, he has joy.
Paul’s joy wasn't tied to his circumstances; it was tied to his salvation. It was tied to Jesus, and Jesus reframed his actions. In fact, Jesus reframed everything in his life. In Jesus, we find our salvation, our joy, and our purpose. He models for us what our actions should be. Since our joy is directly linked to our salvation, then Christians should have more joy than anyone in the world because our past has been forgiven and our future has been settled. Therefore, Christians should be living in the present with a contagious joy. Jesus's grace brings us joy.
So, when you put your trust in Jesus Christ, you begin to experience some things. You experience his justification, his sanctification, and you look forward to his glorification. But there’s still a better word to what he offers. It's love. It's just unconditional love. He specializes in taking people who have made a mess of their life and transforming them through the power of the Holy Spirit, and through what Jesus Christ did at the cross when he humbled himself and became obedient to death.
Reflection/Discussion Question: Take some time to reflect on if you mood and behavior is based more on your circumstances or if it tied to your identity through Jesus Christ.
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