Choose Joy Part 4 Sustaining Joy

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

The gift of salvation is what will sustain our joy. Donald C. Stamps says that “only in Christ Jesus is the love of God revealed and only in Him do we experience it.” This statement is so profound that it took me a while to fully understand it. Jesus’ love through His death and resurrection is the link that reveals how much God truly loves us. As we strive to walk with Christ daily, we begin to clearly see the certainty of His love and keeping power. It is through this revelation that we see the only thing that can separate us from God’s great love is ourselves. Our failure to live a spiritual life is not because God’s grace was not sufficient, it is not because Jesus didn’t love us enough, it is not because of some external force but from our own neglect.

The struggles of life can get us down and it is how we respond those things that define our relationship with Christ and determine the joy we have. The verse right above in Romans 8, verse 37 says, “we are more than conquerors.” Paul is telling believers that we are not victims but victors. God does not intend for us to barely get by or be overwhelmed by the difficulties in life. Christ defeated death and with the power of the Holy Spirit living inside us, we can and SHOULD be “more than conquerors”. Notice the word in the middle “more”. It means a greater amount. We can live the life Jesus intended, a life in the power that he accomplished on the cross, a life of joy.

I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay. You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16:8-11 (NIV)

Pastor Julia Scott