Abiding, steadfast joy is not some frivolous, lackadaisical, fleeting joy. There are moments of overflowing, unspeakable indescribible joy. Yet it is also that slow steady stream of unwavering joy just beneath the surface, built on truth and hope. Joy steadying us during the trials of life. Abiding, steadfast joy is under-girded by the power of Jesus Christ who IS God Almighty incarnate! Emmanuel! God with us!
As we look through this past week’s scriptures in Colossians, Ephesians, Philippians, and I Peter, let us seek to understand this magnificent truth infused joy. First, we will look at the truth of who Jesus is and why that matters. Then I want us to explore three truths that lead to abiding, steadfast joy. Those being Our place in the Universe, Our Purpose, and our position in Christ. Understanding these fundamental truths changes everything, eternally within us. Thus, allowing us to abide in steadfast joy. A joy that nothing and no one can take away from us.
Jesus Christ IS God Almighty
When Paul wrote to the church of Colossae, he did so to address the false doctrines which had slipped into that church. At Colossae, there entered many false doctrines to include a mix of Jewish, pagan, and christian heresies. Those from Jewish background taught that Christ was not sufficient for salvation. Instead, salvation must include works, rituals, and ceremonies.
Another group introduced a pagan belief that all earthly matter was evil, denying divine creation. Hence this group , known as the early Gnosticism. They worshipped angelic beings. Furthermore, they declared there was secret knowledge only obtained by joining their cult.
The heretical groups within those calling themselves Christians went so far as to dethrone Christ. They declared Him not to be Divine nor the creator of the Universe. Hence were that true His death and resurrection could not purchase salvation. Serious false doctrines which could destroy this little church.
Paul addresses the issue of Jesus’s deity in Colossians.
He (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation, for all things in heaven and on earth were created in him—all things, whether visible or invisible, whether thrones or dominions, whether principalities or powers—all things were created through him and for him. He himself is before all things and all things are held together in him. Colossians 1:15-17 (NET)
For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in the Son and through him to reconcile all things to himself by making peace through the blood of his cross—through him, whether things on earth or things in heaven. Colossians 1:19 NET
God was pleased to have All HIS FULLNESS dwell in the Son. Jesus is the absolute direct mirrored image of God the Father. He is God Almighty. Therefore, in Him we have abiding, steadfast joy available to us.
Foundational Truth #1 to Know Abiding, Steadfast Joy-Place in the Universe
We must first understand our place on earth. I am His creation, and He is the creator. We belong to Him. Established as His bride, we become one with Christ.
And God put all things under Christ’s feet, and gave him to the church as head over all things. Now the church is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. Ephesians 1:22-23 (ESV)
Beyond having been created in Him and for Him, our redemption was purchased by Him. We are His.
But God, being rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us, even though we were dead in offenses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you are saved! and he raised us up together with him and seated us together with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, to demonstrate in the coming ages the surpassing wealth of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2: 4-7 NET
Jesus spoke of this Joy; when He prayed to the Father
But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. John 17:13 NKJV
Also in John 15, We further Recognize Our Place
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:4-5 (ESV)
Therefore, remembering my place in this world. I am not the vine and cannot provide the necessary nutrients alone to produce the fruit of joy in my own life. No matter how hard I try.
If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.”
― C.S. Lewis, 1
Yet Jesus did promise us Joy
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. John 15:9-11 (ESV)
Therefore, we may hold fast to abiding steadfast joy as we remember our place. We are the created being and need the life-giving sap of the Savior to fill us with joy.
Foundational Truth #2 to Know Abiding, Steadfast Joy- Purpose
Whenever asked “what is my purpose on earth”, the typical response by a Christian is “I live to bring Glory to God.” Though that may sound very pious, it did not take long for me to realize I have nothing within me to bring any glory to God. Besides, He does not need my glory. He is totally glorious and nothing I could do would increase His glory. You cannot improve perfect. So, what can my purpose be?
that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:9-11 (ESV)
It is God’s mercy that even works through me to accomplish His will. So if he can use anything I do or say to point someone to Christ, it is He working through me and not I, myself. It always amazes me when I think I am at my worst, stumbling in my witness—He steps in and saves the one I failed in my witness despite my failures.
Purpose of Peace As Well As United in One with Christ
Furthermore, my purpose is being a part of His Holy Temple in the Lord, knit together with other believers. In the following verse, Paul is pointing out their pupose is to be knit together. Both Jew and Gentile were called by God to be one church.
And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
Foundational Truth #3 to Know Abiding, Steadfast Joy- Person
One must understand who we are in Jesus Christ. For in Jesus Christ I am His chosen, redeemed, beloved, gifted, enlightened child; heir of the kingdom of God, servant by choice, a new creation, sealed by the Holy Spirit, and a declared Saint. Why would I not be filled with an abiding, steadfast joy knowing that. So where is that found?
Our Position in Christ Confirmed in Scripture
Ephesians 1: 3-14 (ESV)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.
In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons (and daughters) through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of His glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses. According to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will. So that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,ho is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
Our position includes
you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. I Peter 2:9 (ESV)
Because of All That: Our Abiding Steadfast Joy is sure in Jesus
Furthermore, He provides us with armor
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, EPHESIANS 6: 10-18 (ESV)
Abiding Steadfast Joy In the Storm
In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
I Peter 1:6-9 (ESV)
Is there anything I can do to assist in having abiding steadfast Joy
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:4-9 (ESV)
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.
For Prayer or Comments
If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here
Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here
Previous
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2024
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 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.
BSB (BEREAN STUDY BIBLE)
The Berean Bible and Majority Bible texts are officially dedicated to the public domain as of April 30, 2023.
New King James Version (NKJV)Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
New American Standard Bible (NASB)New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
New English Translation (NET)NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.
Amplified Bible (AMP)Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.