No Puddleglums at Christmas

We’ve been talking a lot about Joy this Advent season from Philippians. This has led me to wonder: Is the pursuit of joy in Jesus above all things optional or essential? In other words, is joy a nice addition if you can get it OR is it mandatory for Christian living?
Think about Psalm 16:11 — ‘You [God] make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

Seven quick observations from this verse:

1. There is a path that leads to joy in the presence of God.
2. God is the one who makes known this path. He points us on the way.
3. In God’s presence there is fullness of joy. Not 99% joy, but complete, 100% joy.
4. These pleasures are forevermore. Not 80 years, or even 80 million years, but eternal.
5. 2 Corinthians 1:20 says, “All the promises of God find their ‘yes’ in Christ.” That means the promise of Psalm 16:11 is for those who belong to Jesus.
6. God’s presence is the exclusive location of this eternal joy. It is not one of many places, it is the only place and the only reality that can make us happy forever.
7. Therefore, following this path is our duty and our delight. It is not a possibility or an option, but an obligation.

CS Lewis wrote to Sheldon Vanauken, “It is a Christian duty, as you know, for everyone to be as happy as he can.” (A Severe Mercy, 189) God is telling us, “Get on the path! Take the road to full and lasting pleasure!”

Here are four reasons that I think Christians must be joyful people:

1. Joy has everything to do with suffering. If you are a Christian, you will suffer. Read Matthew 16:24 or John 16:33 or Acts 14:22 or 2 Timothy 3:12. We will suffer in this life, but we can only suffer well if we are finding our joy in the Lord, instead of our circumstances.
2. Joy has everything to do with loving other people. To truly love someone is to be willing to lay down your life for their supreme joy. How can you share what you do not have?
3. Joy has everything to do with displaying the glory of God. God simply will not be glorified in our lives if we find something else that gives us more joy than he does.
4. Joy has everything to do with your ultimate identity. Who are you? What were you made for? Has the Holy Spirit given you a new heart? Has Jesus rescued you from death? Are you born again?

If so, then it a Christian duty, as you know, for everyone to be as happy as they can.
-Josh