I have heard our plea to the church and to the community at large that we are the true church. Besides being biased with our prejudiced Bible verses, something else betrays this assumption. The louder the cry the unhappier it seems are the criers. Gladness seems to side-step those who believe themselves to be most correct.
A term I have had to learn in the past decade is one foreign to me; joy. Oh sure, I have experienced it on many occasions; but basically from the flesh. I speak of the joy that fills the believer under any and all circumstances; that fruit of the Holy Spirit when the flesh can no longer muster it.
Fundamentally, my point is that it is a very grand experience to note the happiness of Christ's followers. One of the things I so enjoy about elders in the last several years is their peace; not pressed by the nay-sayers.
Neither are they perplexed by those who breathe threats of discontent. They are happy in the Lord. Every day a bed of roses? No. Every day confident in the Spirit? Yes. A brand new church world.
Fritz Kling penned, Christianity around the world, too often viewed as staid or boring or regressive, actually provides the richest journey that life can offer. God knows the future....is full of possibility, hope, and reward--and the world is waiting....but not for long.
Let us be about the Life to the extent we abound in.....abundant joy and gladness. May we lavishly live in the glory of the Lord. We love those verses which call us to such. May we try to live those verses!
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