How Does a Life in Jesus Really Bring Indescribable Joy? ⋆ Effie Darlene Barba %

As we journey through this Pilgrim land, even as Christians, too often joy evades us. Perhaps in the same way it evades those who do not know Christ. Yet I propose for different reasons. Those who do not know Christ chase after other joys. We who know Him find ourselves at time trapped by our own efforts of living out this life in Jesus. Yet joy is one of the fruits of the Spirit. Joy should be ours, reflecting the life in Jesus we have been given. So, why do we seem at times to be the most unjoyful of all? Perhaps the same can be said of our living out this life of Christ we have so freely been given.

I fear that too often we misunderstand the verse Paul wrote to the Philippians and fall trap to it.

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Philippians 2:12

Although saved by grace. We sometimes believe it now our duty to prove to the world and God He made a wonderful choice. So with fear and trembling we try to prove our own worthiness. But we become further frustrated with our own failures. And sometimes just give up and say, “might as well sin, after all I can’t get it right”. Then we fall away into our own depression. Unfortunately, as you will see before today is over. We misinterpreted this message and we forgot to read the next verse.

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure. Philippians 2:13

What Difference Does It Make?

Precisely, that is what Paul wanted to convey to the churches in Galatia. To live a life in Christ, is not to be fretting and worrying about “keeping the law”. Oh, it does not mean that we just keep on sinning, ignoring Christ. Rather, it is learning that the Holy Spirit indwells us. He is transforming us to live outwardly the life in Jesus that we have. That is a life of freedom from the chains of the law which produce death in us. Not that there is anything evil about the law. The law is God’s perfect righteousness on display. The problem is I cannot keep the law; therefore, my penalty is death.

For even those, like the rich young ruler, who believes they can keep the letter of the law. They still cannot keep the heart of the law. He broke the first commandment because he loved wealth and riches more than God. Paul, having been among the chief of the Pharisees, knew this all too well. But he said:

But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; Galatians 1:15-16

Lightening Flash! Literally! Paul was transformed and saw the truth of the gospel of Christ. That is why he could say that God revealed His Son in himself. Jesus dwelling now inside of Paul. He now had life in Jesus.

Dead to the law, Alive in Christ

Paul was humbled by the wondrous grace that God chose him. No longer any pride in his own knowledge of Old Testament scripture. He was transformed. And He continued being transformed by the Holy Spirit in him. Why? To reveal the life of Jesus in him to the world around him. This is why he knew the dangers of what the Judaizers were teaching. It is the same danger taught in many churches today. Anything that strays from the truth of the Gospel endangers the work of the church. Many believe that they are saved because they go to church. Or because they live a decent life, and for the most part do good. Meanwhile, the churches are content with letting this lie continue. After all, they do tithe.

Others blatantly teach that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Then, rather that teaching life in Christ, they teach we must work hard. We must change our own choices, and transform our lives to look like Christ. But this is what Paul wrote to the Galatians. Precisely about his discussion with Peter and others. He called them out who would for the sake of the Jews change their tune when around the Jews.

We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. Galatians 2:15-18

Or in other words as shown in the Amplified Version

[I went on to say] “We are Jews by birth and not sinners from among the Gentiles; 16 yet we know that a man is not [e]justified [and placed in right standing with God] by works of the Law, but [only] through faith in [God’s beloved Son,] Christ Jesus. And even we [as Jews] have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the Law. By observing the Law no one will ever be justified [declared free of the guilt of sin and its penalty]. 17 But if, while we seek to be justified in Christ [by faith], we ourselves are found to be sinners, does that make Christ an advocate or promoter of our sin? Certainly not! 18 For if I [or anyone else should] rebuild [through word or by practice] what I once tore down [the belief that observing the Law is essential for salvation], I prove myself to be a transgressor. Galatians 2:15-18 AMP

But In a New Life in Jesus, We Are Dead to The Law.

For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. Galatians 2:19-21

Let’s look a little deeper here. According to the law, I am sentenced to death. There is no way around this. Even though Paul once believed he was good. He now knows he was spiritually dead. No matter how righteous one might think themselves, without Jesus Christ they are spiritually dead. At the judgment seat of the Supreme Judge, my sentence was death.

However, God in His Unimaginable Grace, placed the penalty for my arrogant pride and sin upon His Son on the cross. The moment, He called me to Himself, the crucifixion of Jesus Christ was accounted unto my account. My price was paid. The sentence of death that was mine Christ died. My debt and sin crucified with Him that I might rise to life in Jesus. He now resides in me and I need only “reckon my SELF crucified in Him.” as Paul wrote in Romans 6.

Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. Romans 6:6-14

A New Life In Jesus

That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in Him we live, and move, and have our being Acts 17:27-28

Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. Romans 6:16-18

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:4-10

Whose workmanship, are we? We are created IN Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Who does the work? How does He? It is through grace.

For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. II Corinthians 5: 14-21

So, What About What Paul Wrote to The Philippians?

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Philippians 2:12

Now considering all that we just read and know. Let us look once more at this verse.

If we look at the Greek word that is translated “work out” in Strong’s Concordance, we find

continue to work out
κατεργάζεσθε (katergazesthe)
Verb – Present Imperative Middle or Passive – 2nd Person Plural
Strong’s Greek 2716: From kata and ergazomai; to work fully, i.e. Accomplish; by implication, to finish, fashion. _{https://biblehub.com/strongs/philippians/2-12.htm}

So, work out is not about performing by my strength. Rather it is to accomplish. Or to finish by allowing the power of Christ to demonstrate to the world my life in Jesus. The one I have inside of me by grace.

Why with fear and trembling? In total tremulous awe and wonder of who Jesus Is and the amazing grace He has given me. I tremble at His Majesty! Furthermore, I stand in awe that the Creator of the Universe saw me, chose me, and loves me. How could I not tremble? Why would I not fear disappointing Him who gave me so much! He thought I, who am nothing was so precious that He gave everything to call me His own. Is that not enough to cause me to tremble with love, devotion, awe, fear, and wonder in His presence? To think He saw me. He indwells me. My life in Jesus, what a wondrous thought.

I do not ever want to disappoint my Heavenly Father, so I want to spend each day seeking Him. Dying to myself allowing Him to display to the world my life in Jesus. That is my prayer today. But knowing the truth that my salvation and my sanctification are by grace alone, I rest in His Joy. He will finish the work He began in me. On that promise, I rest assured. I turn to Him and smile. Sometimes my heart just leaps for joy thinking of Him. My life in Jesus brings me indescribable joy when I remember the truth of the Gospel.

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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.

Called by God Almighty and Jesus Messiah to Serve Holy Spirit Filled

Deadly Spiritual Danger for a World Distorting the Truth of Jesus How?

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

¹ J.B. Phillips New Testament (PHILLIPS)

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)