CHRISTIAN JOY
by Thomas Watson
"The fruit of the Spirit is joy." Gal. 5:22.
The third fruit of justification, adoption, and
sanctification—is joy in the Holy Spirit. Joy is setting the soul
upon the top of a pinnacle—it is the cream of the sincere milk of the word.
Spiritual joy is a sweet and delightful passion, arising from the
apprehension and feeling of some good, whereby the soul is supported under
present troubles, and fenced against future fear.
I. Joy is a delightful passion. It is contrary to
sorrow, which is a perturbation of mind, whereby the heart is perplexed and
cast down. Joy is a sweet and pleasant affection—which eases the mind, and
exhilarates and comforts the spirits.
II. Joy arises from the feeling of some good. Joy is
not a mere imagination; but is rational, and arises from the feeling of some
good, as the sense of God's love and favor. Joy is so real a thing, that it
makes a sudden change in a person; and turns mourning into melody. As in the
spring-time, when the sun comes to our horizon, it makes a sudden alteration
in the face of the universe—the birds sing, the flowers appear, the fig-tree
puts forth her green figs; everything seems to rejoice and put off its
mourning, as being revived with the sweet influence of the sun. Just so,
when the Sun of Righteousness arises on the soul, it makes a sudden
alteration, and the soul is infinitely rejoiced with the golden beams of
God's love.
III. By joy, the soul is supported under present
troubles. Joy stupefies and swallows up troubles; it carries the heart
above them, as the oil swims above the water.
IV. By joy, the heart is fenced against future fear.
Joy is both a cordial and an antidote. It is a cordial which
gives present relief to the spirits when they are sad; and an antidote,
which fences off the fear of approaching danger. "I will fear no evil, for
you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me."
How is this joy wrought?
(1.) It arises partly from the promise. As the bee
lies at the breast of the flower, and sucks out its sweetness; just so,
faith lies at the breast of a promise, and sucks out the quintessence of
joy. "Your comforts delight my soul;" that is, the comforts which distill
from the promises.
(2.) The Spirit of God who is called the 'Comforter',
sometimes drops this golden oil of joy into the soul." John 14:26. The
Spirit whispers the remission of his sin to a believer—and sheds God's love
abroad in the heart, whence flows infinite joy and delight. Rom 5:5.
What are the SEASONS in which God
usually gives his people divine joys? There are five Seasons.
(1.) Sometimes at the blessed Supper. The soul comes
weeping after Christ in the Lord's Supper, and God sends it away
weeping for joy. The Jews had a custom at their feasts, of pouring
ointment on their guests and kissing them; in the Lord's Supper, God often
pours the oil of gladness on the saints, and kisses them with the kisses of
his lips. There are two grand ends of the Lord's Supper—the strengthening of
faith, and the flourishing of joy. Here, in this ordinance, God displays the
banner of his love; here believers taste not only sacramental bread—but
hidden manna. Not that God always meets the soul with joy. He may give
increase of grace, when not increase of joy. But oftentimes he
pours in the oil of gladness, and gives the soul a secret seal of his
love; as Christ made himself known in the breaking of bread to the two
disciples.
(2.) Before God calls his people to suffering. "Be of
good cheer, Paul." Acts 23:11. When God was about to give Paul a cup of
blood to drink—he spiced it with joy. "As the sufferings
of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds." 2 Cor 1:5.
This made the martyrs' flames, to be beds of roses to them. When Stephen was
being stoned he saw heaven open, and the Sun of Righteousness shone upon his
face. God candies our wormwood, with sugar.
(3.) After sore conflicts with Satan. He is the red
dragon who troubles the waters; he puts the soul into frights, makes it
believe that it has no grace, and that God does not love it. Though he
cannot blot out a Christian's evidence for heaven—yet he may cast such a
mist before his eyes, that he cannot read it. When the soul has been bruised
with temptations, God will comfort the bruised reed by giving joy—to confirm
a Christian's title to heaven. After Satan's fiery darts, comes the
white stone. No better balm to heal a tempted soul, than the oil of
gladness! After Christ was tempted, an angel came to comfort him.
(4.) After spiritual desertion. Desertion is a
poisoned arrow which shoots to the heart. "For the Almighty has struck me
down with his arrows. He has sent his poisoned arrows deep within my spirit.
All God's terrors are arrayed against me!" Job 6:4. God is called a fire and
a light: the deserted soul feels the fire—but does not see the light; it
cries out, as Asaph, "Has the Lord rejected me forever? Will he never again
show me favor? Is his unfailing love gone forever? Have his promises
permanently failed? Has God forgotten to be kind? Has he slammed the door on
his compassion?" Psalms 77:7-9. When the soul is in this case, and ready to
faint away in despair, God shines upon it, and gives it some apprehension of
his favor, and turns the shadow of death into the light of the
morning. God keeps his cordials for a time of fainting. Joy after a time
of desertion, is like a resurrection from the dead.
(5.) At the hour of death. Of those even who have had
no joy in their lifetime. God puts this sugar in the bottom of
the cup—to make their death sweet. At the last hour, when all other comforts
are gone, God sends the Comforter; and when their appetite to food fails, he
feeds them with hidden manna. As the wicked before they die, have some
apprehensions of hell and wrath in their conscience; so the godly have some
foretastes of God's everlasting favor, though sometimes their diseases may
be such, and their bodies so oppressed, that they cannot express what they
feel. Jacob laid himself to sleep on a stone and saw a vision of a ladder,
and the angels ascending and descending upon it. Just so, when saints lay
themselves down to sleep the sleep of death, they have often a vision—they
see the light of God's face, and have the evidences of his love sealed up to
them forever.
What are the differences between
worldly joys and spiritual joys?
The gleanings of spiritual joys, are better than the
vintage of the worldly joys.
(1.) Spiritual joys help to make us BETTER, worldly joys
often make us worse. "I spoke unto you in your prosperity—but you said,
I will not hear." Jer 22:21. Pride and luxury are the two
worms which are bred from worldly pleasures. Wine is the inflamer of lust.
As Satan entered in the sop, so often in the cup. But
spiritual joy makes one better; it is like cordial medicine, which, as
physicians say, not only cheers the heart—but purges out the noxious humours.
Just so, divine joy is cordial medicine, which not only comforts but
purifies; it makes a Christian more holy; it causes an antipathy against
sin; it infuses strength to live and suffer for Christ. "The joy of the Lord
is your strength." Some colors not only delight the eye—but
strengthen the sight. Just so, the joys of God not only refresh
the soul—but strengthen it.
(2.) Spiritual joys are INWARD, they are heart joys.
"Your heart shall rejoice." John 16:22. True joy is hidden within, worldly
joy lies on the outside, like the dew which wets the leaf. We read of those
who "rejoice in appearance," in the Greek, in the face. 2 Cor 5:12. It goes
no farther than the face, it is not within. "Laughter can conceal a heavy
heart; when the laughter ends, the grief remains." Proverbs 14:13. Like a
house which has a gilded frontispiece—but all the rooms within are hung in
mourning. But spiritual joy lies most within. "Your heart
shall rejoice." Divine joy is like a spring of water which runs underground!
Others can see the sufferings of a Christian—but they see not his joy. "Each
heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can fully share its joy."
Prov 14:10. His joy is hidden manna—hidden from the eye of the world; he has
joyful music which others cannot hear. The marrow lies within, the
best joy is within the heart.
(3.) Spiritual joys are SWEETER than worldly joys.
"Your love is sweeter than wine!" Song of Songs 1:2. Spiritual joys are a
Christian's festival; they are the golden pot and the sweet manna, they are
so sweet, that they make everything else sweet! Spiritual joys sweeten
health and estate, as sweet water poured on flowers makes them more fragrant
and aromatic. Divine joys are so delicious and ravishing, that they put our
mouth out of taste for earthly delights; just as he who has been drinking
cordials tastes little sweetness in water. Paul had so tasted these divine
joys, that his mouth was out of taste for worldly things; the world was
crucified to him, it was like a dead thing, he could find no sweetness in
it. Gal 6:14.
(4.) Spiritual joys are more PURE, they are not tempered
with any bitter ingredients. A sinner's joy is mixed with dregs, it is
embittered with fear and guilt—he drinks wormwood wine. But spiritual joy is
not muddied with guilt—but like a crystal stream, it runs pure. It is a rose
without prickles; it is honey without wax.
(5.) Spiritual joys are SATISFYING joys. "Ask, that
your joy may be full." Worldly joys can no more fill the heart than a drop
can fill an ocean; they may please the palate or imagination—but cannot
satisfy the soul. "No matter how much we see—we are never satisfied.
No matter how much we hear—we are not content." Ecclesiastes 1:8. But
the joys of God satisfy. "Your comforts delight my soul." Psalm 94:19. There
is as much difference between spiritual joys and earthly joys—as between a
banquet which is eaten—and one which is painted on the wall!
(6.) Spiritual joys are STRONGER joys than worldly joys.
"Strong consolation." Heb 6:18. They are strong joys indeed, which can
bear up a Christian's heart in trials and afflictions. "Having received the
word in much affliction, with joy." These joys are roses which grow in
winter! These joys can sweeten the bitter waters of Marah! He who has
these joys, can gather grapes from thorns, and fetch honey out of the
carcass of a lion! "As sorrowing—yet always rejoicing." 2 Cor 6: 10. At the
end of the rod—a Christian tastes honey!
(7.) Spiritual joys are UNWEARIED joys. Other joys,
when in excess, often cause loathing; too much honey nauseates. One may be
tired of pleasure, as well as labor. King Xerxes offered a
reward to him who could find out a new pleasure! But the joys of God,
though they satisfy—yet they never glut. A drop of joy is sweet—but
the more of this wine the better! Such as drink of the joys of heaven—are
never glutted. Their satiety is without loathing, because they still desire
more of the joy with which they are satiated.
(8.) Spiritual joys are ABIDING joys. Worldly joys
are soon gone. Such as crown themselves with rosebuds, and bathe in the
perfumed waters of pleasure—may have joys which seem to be sweet—but
they are swift. They are like meteors, which give a bright and sudden
flash, and then disappear. But the joys which believers have are abiding;
they are a blossom of eternity—a pledge of those rivers of pleasure
which run at God's right hand! "In Your presence is abundant joy; in Your
right hand are eternal pleasures!" Psalm 16:11
Why is this joy to be labored for?
(1.) Because it is self-existent. Spiritual joy can
exist in the absence of all other carnal joy. This joy does not depend upon
outward things. As the philosophers said, when the musicians came to them,
"Philosophers can be merry without music;" so he who has this spiritual joy
can be cheerful in the deficiency of carnal joys; he can rejoice in God, in
sure hope of glory! "Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there
are no grapes on the vine; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields
lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the
cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be
joyful in the God of my salvation. Habakkuk 3:17-18. Spiritual joy can
go without silver crutches to support it. Spiritual joy is built
higher, than upon creatures, for it is built on the love of God, on the
promises of Scripture, and on the blood of Christ.
(2.) Because spiritual joy carries the soul through duty
cheerfully. Religion becomes a recreation. Fear and sorrow hinder us in
the discharge of duty; but a Christian serves God with activity, when he
serves him with joy. The oil of joy makes the wheels of obedience
move faster. How fervently did they pray, whom God made joyful in the
house of prayer! "I will bring them also to my holy mountain of Jerusalem
and will fill them with joy in my house of prayer." Isaiah 56:7.
(3.) It is called the kingdom of God, because it is a
taste of that which the saints have in the kingdom of God. "For the
Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life
of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." Romans 14:17. What
is the heaven of the angels—but the smiles of God's face, the sensible
perception and feeling of those joys which are infinitely ravishing and full
of glory!
To encourage and quicken us in seeking after them,
consider, that Christ died to purchase this joy for his saints. He was a man
of sorrows—that we might be full of joy; he prayed that the saints might
have this divine joy. "And now I am coming to you. I have told them many
things while I was with them so they would be filled with my joy."
John 17:13. Christ knows we never love him so much—as when we feel
his love; which may encourage us to seek after this joy. We pray for that
which Christ himself is praying for, when we pray that his joy may be
fulfilled in us.
What shall we do to obtain this
spiritual joy?
Walk consistently and spiritually. God gives joy after
long and close walking with him.
(1.) Observe your hours. Set time every day apart for
God.
(2.) Mourn for sin. "Mourning is the seed," as Basil
says, "out of which the flower of spiritual joy grows." "I will comfort
those who mourn." Isa 57:18.
(3.) Keep the book of conscience fair written. Do
not by presumptuous sins, blur your evidences. A good conscience is the
ark in which God puts the hidden manna!
(4.) Be often upon your knees—pray with life and
fervency. The same Spirit who fills the heart with sighs—fills it with joys.
The same Spirit who inspires the prayer—seals it. When Hannah had prayed,
her countenance was no longer sad. I Sam 1:18. Praying Christians have much
fellowship with God; and none are so likely to have the secrets of his love
imparted, as those who hold correspondence with him. By close walking with
God, we get clusters of Eshcol's grapes along the way, which are pledge of
future happiness.
How shall we comfort those who lack
joy?
Such as walk in close communion with God—have more joy
than others.
(1.) Initial joy, joy in the seed. "Light is shed upon
the righteous, and joy on the upright in heart." Psalm 97:11. Grace in the
heart, is a seed of joy. Though a Christian lacks the sun, he has a
day-star in his heart.
(2.) A believer has real joy—though not royal
comforts. He has, as Aquinas says, "joy in God, though not
from God." Joy in God, is the delight and pleasure the soul takes in
God. "My soul shall be glad in the Lord." He who is truly gracious, is so
far joyful as to take comfort in God. Though he cannot say that God rejoices
in him; he can say that he rejoices in God.
(3.) He has supporting joy—though not transporting
comforts. He has as much as keeps him from sinking. "You strengthen me with
strength in my soul." Psalm 138:3. If a Christian has not God's arm to
embrace him—yet he has it to uphold him. Thus a Christian who
walks with God has something which bears up his heart from sinking; and it
is but waiting awhile, and he is sure of those eternal joys which are
unspeakable and full of glory!
Use one: See that true
religion is no melancholy thing—it brings joy. The fruit of the Spirit
is joy. Joy may vary—but it is never totally destroyed. A poor Christian who
exists on bread and water, may have purer joy than the greatest monarch.
Though he fares hard—he feeds high. He has a table spread from
heaven—angels' food, and the hidden manna. He has sometimes sweet raptures
of joy—which cause jubilation of spirit; he has that which is better
felt—than can be expressed. "But I do know that I was caught up
into paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be told." 2
Corinthians 12:4.
Use two: If God gives his
people such joy in this life, oh! then, what glorious joy will he give them
in heaven! "Enter into the joy of your Lord!" Matt 25:21. Here on
earth—joy begins to enter into us; there in heaven—we shall enter into joy.
God keeps his best wine until last. Heliogabalus bathed himself in sweet
perfumed waters. What joy will that be—when the soul shall forever bathe
itself in the pure and pleasant fountain of God's love! What joy will that
be—to see the orient brightness of Christ's face, and have the kisses of
those lips which drop sweet-smelling myrrh! "The Bride will rejoice in the
embrace of her Lord," Augustine. Oh! if a cluster of grapes here is so
sweet, what will the full vintage be! How may this set us all longing
for that place where sorrow cannot live—and where joy cannot
die!