12 Steps to Know Joy and Reflect Glory in Jesus Today ⋆ Effie Darlene Barba %

Such a deep, dark moment one day over 40 years ago. Driving that day, my heart so heavy. I believed “there was no hope”. The thought of suicide rose within me. But what about the kids? I could not leave them behind. To face what? Pain, sorrow, suffering and abuse? No. If I were to take my own life, I would have to take theirs as well. Unthinkable? Yes. But a thought anyway. Did despair mean I was never saved? No. I was certain of my salvation long before as a child of 5. What I was not certain of: how to live out this life in Christ I had been given. God was working throughout my life to transform my life. I felt I had failed Him and everyone else around me. Yet, He showed me these 12 Steps to Know Joy and Reflect His Glory.

Paul meticulously laid forth the gospel in the book of Romans. With a beautiful apologetics style, he spoke THE Truth. At the same time, he tore down false beliefs taught rampantly in the Roman Churches. Much of which continues to this day in Rome. He brought light into the darkness. Humanity cannot ever live a life on their own power sufficiently holy to be with a Holy God. The sheer arrogance and pride to think one can is in itself sin. If no one can save themselves, then how? Only through faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Salvation from the beginning was faith in His coming and now in His having finished the work on Calvary at such a high cost to Himself. One Love, so unimaginable, we can hardly comprehend it. But therein also lies the secret of how to live this life with Joy, reflecting Him.

Know Joy in this Life?

Perhaps I would have told you that dark day so long ago, knowing joy was impossible. Yet, my heart knew there was something missing. It needed to learn how to live in Christ. In Romans 7, Paul discussed the struggle within our hearts. A struggle between the new creation in Christ and the old sin nature which attempts to take over our thoughts leading to our actions. Perhaps I would have told you a life filled with joy was impossible; but I found that day a determination to seek and discover it. The Bible spoke of it. I desperately needed to know how to find it. That is when I finally surrendered to the Holy Spirit to guide me. After all, I was not doing a very good job on my own. Surrendering before, I had seen glimpses of it; but somehow had lost the joy along the way.

Too ashamed of my own failures, I wanted to just hide from God’s eyes, as if I could, instead of running into His presence. The truth is quite the opposite. We are to run into His arms of love. Romans 8:1 tells us that “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus”. Meaning, if the Perfect, Righteous, Holy, Just God had forgiven me, who was I not to? What foolish pedestal had I placed myself on to not forgive what He had paid the price for and had forgiven. As a Believer in Jesus Christ, there is no sin in my life, He has not placed under the blood of Christ for me. I am cloaked in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Therefore, I am His. My guilt: proof of my salvation and failure to grasp the fullness of my salvation at the same time.

A Knew Beginning, Step 1 to Know Joy

You will make known to me the way of life;

In Your presence is fullness of joy;

In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. Psalm 16:11 NASB

So, fullness of joy is in His Presence. How is anyone able to be in His presence? By accepting salvation offered by Jesus Christ. As Jesus prayed,

this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. I glorified You on the earth by accomplishing the work which You have given Me to do. And now You, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world existed. John 17: 3-5 NASB

And as Jesus said,

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me. Oneness with the Father If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.” Philip *said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus *said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? The one who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own, but the Father, as He remains in Me, does His works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me. John 14:6-11 NASB

So, step #1 to know Joy is Accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior—Only through knowing Him can you be in the presence of God the Father where there is joy overflowing.

Consider the Flesh dead: Step #2 to know Joy in Jesus

So then, brothers and sisters, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— for if you are living in accord with the flesh, you are going to die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live Romans 8:12-13 NASB

Might sound like works to maintain salvation, but that is not what Paul is saying here. He had just completed discussing our eternal position being secure in Jesus Christ. And will go further into this. So, what does he mean that if you are living in accord with the flesh, you are going to die? Is he referring to those who do not know Christ? I do not think so as he has been addressing believers at this point in this scripture. Sometimes, it is that a Christian who persistently walks away from Christ and persists in sin, they may die to this world.

If anyone sees his brother or sister committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will, for him, give life to those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death; I am not saying that he should ask about that. All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death. I John 5:16-17 NASB

Note: John wrote sees his brother or sister. To he is referring to a Christian sinning a sin unto death. This is physical death.

“John illustrates praying according to God’s will with the specific example of the “sin leading to death.” Such a sin could be any premeditated and unconfessed sin that causes the Lord to determine to end a believer’s life. It is not one particular sin like homosexuality or lying, but whatever sin is the final one in the tolerance of God. Failure to repent of and forsake sin may eventually lead to physical death as a judgment of God (Acts 5:1–11; 1 Cor. 5:5; 11:30).”¹ _{MacArthur, John; NASB MacArthur Study Bible, 2nd Edition Copyright © 1997, 2006, 2019 by Thomas Nelson., noted on page 2679}

Other Things That Die: Joy and Feeling God’s Presence

Or it can be they lose the joy of their salvation, as did David. But it was restored, though he did watch his own sins play out in his sons later and must have seen that as painful. Yet, God remained his faithful refuge through it all. Watching his sons’ sin was a natural consequence to how he taught them and not necessarily a direct punishment from God. David’s sins were forgiven the moment he confessed them to be cast as far as the east is from the west and for God that is very far.

Do not cast me away from Your presence,

And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,

And sustain me with a willing spirit.

Then I will teach wrongdoers Your ways,

And sinners will be converted to You. Psalm 51:11-13 NASB

Or it may be that you no longer feel the presence of God in your daily lives. Life becomes filled with anxiety, stress, and depression as had mine. But thanks be to God, He restores you and shows you the way to perfect joy. Step #2 to Know Joy in Christ, turn from your sins and repent.

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts. Romans 13:14 NASB

In other words, “JUST STOP IT” in His power. Just ask Him and He will give you the strength to overcome.

Rejoice and Rest in His presence: Step #3 to Know Joy

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16 NASB

In other words, surround yourself in Him. Be discerning what you hear, watch, and spend your time meditating own. It will lead you closer or farther away from His presence.

Know Him through His Word: Step #4 to Know Joy in Jesus

But his delight is in the Law of the Lord,

And on His Law he meditates day and night. Psalm 1:2 NASB

You cannot know Him if you do not read His Word, His love letters to you. The more you know Him, the greater your joy.

Your words were found and I ate them,And Your words became a joy to me and the delight of my heart;For I have been called by Your name, Lord God of armies. Jeremiah 15:16 NASB

While sin separates us from feeling His presence, His word keeps us from sin.

I have treasured Your word in my heart, So that I may not sin against You. Psalm 119:11 NASB

Prayer: step 5 to know Joy in Jesus Christ

“Pray that you do not come into temptation.” Luke 22:40

We are to pray without ceasing. That means talk to Him throughout the day. Fill your heart and mind with His constant presence. If your mind is like mine it is unceasing in its thoughts. Why not make Him a conscious part of those thoughts!

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. I Thessalonians 5:16-18 NASB

Which brings us to step #6: Never forget Your Position as God’s Adopted Child

For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons and daughters of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons and daughters by which we cry out, “Abba!Father!” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. Romans 8:14-17 NASB

Jesus said, “that they may know you love them, as you have loved me.” What an amazing thought that should bring joy

Rejoicing: Step #7 to Know Joy

If you truly believe God IS all powerful, all seeing, and all knowing plus you know He rewards those who diligently seek Him; why are you not rejoicing in all things? He knows what is best for me. Only He knows how He can use my suffering for the good of the kingdom and my good.

The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the eagerly awaiting creation waits for the revealing of the sons and daughters of God. Romans 8:16-19 NASB

Know the Holy Spirit Within You is Working to Sanctify You: Step #8 to Know Joy

Whatever things are going on around you and in you to create anxiety. Relax. Don’t fall for it. Know the Holy Spirit is working to transform you into the image of Jesus Christ.

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. Romans 8:28-30 NASB

With the Power of the Holy Spirit in you, we will look at some specific commandments as Steps 9,10, and 11 to Know Joy

Step 9:

Flee sexual immorality. Every other sin that a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. I Corinthians 6;18 NASB

Step 10 to Know Joy

And do not get drunk with wine, in which there is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, Ephesians 5:18 NASB

Step 11 to Know Joy

Beloved, I urge you as foreigners and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts, which wage war against the soul. 1 Peter 2:11

Step 12 to know Joy and Glorify God

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Colossians 3:17 KJV

If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. I Peter 4:11 KJV

So, there you have it. 12 steps to always experience and know joy in Jesus throughout this journey. I was a late learner, but thank God, He is a patient teacher.

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. That is except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Please note: This Post only has quotes from the KJV Bible except where otherwise indicated

BSB (BEREAN STUDY BIBLE)

The Berean Bible and Majority Bible texts are officially dedicated to the public domain as of April 30, 2023.

English Standard Version (ESV)

Picture licensed by permission from Ronald Barba and my book Abiding Steadfast Joy.