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The Essential Message
What is the essence of the Gospel? Forgiveness of sins? Going to heaven? According to the Scriptures, the essence of the Good News is joy, joy that comes from knowing Jesus and having access through Him to God. Today’s excerpt from Joy to Your World! is from pages 12 and 13:
“The message of Christmas is one of joy, which is the defining chord and key of the Christian life. We tend to think of our lives as believers in terms of forgiveness of sins, assurance of eternal life, peace amid the vicissitudes and tumult of daily living, and welcome comfort, happiness, and love. We even know intermittent seasons of joy, as at Christmas time, when we sing ‘Joy to the World!’ and other familiar carols and hymns.
“But the essential message of the Christian life is all of these and more, at the same time. The angel who announced the birth of Jesus Christ precisely described the essence of what was in store for those who follow Jesus: ‘I bring you good tidings of great joy…’ The Christian life is joy, the joy Jesus glimpsed as He went to the cross, that sustained Him through all His betrayal and suffering, and in which He now dwells, at the right hand of God.
“Joy is the consequence of entering the Kingdom of God (Rom. 14.17, 18). In that realm, seated with the Bringer of Joy (Eph. 2.6; Ps. 16.11), we lay aside our old lives and are clothed with the righteousness of Jesus. Thus we immerse in His peace, that passes understanding, and we know joy – an affection so completely satisfying that it can only be grounded in eternal, unchanging verities. Joy is what all know who receive their King, who prepare room in their heart for Him to unpack the wonders of His love; and joy is what the Gospel intends for all people.”
For reflection or discussion
1. How would you explain joy to a non-Christian friend? Why does this matter so much?
2. How are people who do not know the Lord trying to find some joy? Why can these never fully satisfy?
Joy is not something far off that we can only glimpse in our lives here and now. It’s not a condition reserved merely for the then and there. Joy can be now and always when we know the Lord Jesus Christ. Share today’s podcast with a friend. Make a point of getting together to discuss joy and why it matters so. Order your copy of Joy to Your World! by going to The Ailbe Bookstore.
The post The Essential Message appeared first on The Fellowship of Ailbe.
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By T. M. MooreWhat is the essence of the Gospel? Forgiveness of sins? Going to heaven? According to the Scriptures, the essence of the Good News is joy, joy that comes from knowing Jesus and having access through Him to God. Today’s excerpt from Joy to Your World! is from pages 12 and 13:
“The message of Christmas is one of joy, which is the defining chord and key of the Christian life. We tend to think of our lives as believers in terms of forgiveness of sins, assurance of eternal life, peace amid the vicissitudes and tumult of daily living, and welcome comfort, happiness, and love. We even know intermittent seasons of joy, as at Christmas time, when we sing ‘Joy to the World!’ and other familiar carols and hymns.
“But the essential message of the Christian life is all of these and more, at the same time. The angel who announced the birth of Jesus Christ precisely described the essence of what was in store for those who follow Jesus: ‘I bring you good tidings of great joy…’ The Christian life is joy, the joy Jesus glimpsed as He went to the cross, that sustained Him through all His betrayal and suffering, and in which He now dwells, at the right hand of God.
“Joy is the consequence of entering the Kingdom of God (Rom. 14.17, 18). In that realm, seated with the Bringer of Joy (Eph. 2.6; Ps. 16.11), we lay aside our old lives and are clothed with the righteousness of Jesus. Thus we immerse in His peace, that passes understanding, and we know joy – an affection so completely satisfying that it can only be grounded in eternal, unchanging verities. Joy is what all know who receive their King, who prepare room in their heart for Him to unpack the wonders of His love; and joy is what the Gospel intends for all people.”
For reflection or discussion
1. How would you explain joy to a non-Christian friend? Why does this matter so much?
2. How are people who do not know the Lord trying to find some joy? Why can these never fully satisfy?
Joy is not something far off that we can only glimpse in our lives here and now. It’s not a condition reserved merely for the then and there. Joy can be now and always when we know the Lord Jesus Christ. Share today’s podcast with a friend. Make a point of getting together to discuss joy and why it matters so. Order your copy of Joy to Your World! by going to The Ailbe Bookstore.
The post The Essential Message appeared first on The Fellowship of Ailbe.