As we consider the value of keeping Jesus’ commands (see John 15:9-10, discussed in the previous article), I suspect that some people – particularly those who have bought into a human, legalistic, works-based approach to being successful (or fruitful) in the body of Christ – think that this all sounds like a lot of drudgery, labor, and unpleasantness. Rhetorically, they ask (if only to themselves), “Who wants to follow Jesus all of the time?”
However, I think that the answer to this question can be found in the joy that people discover when they actually do follow Jesus “all of the time” (i.e., even through the mistakes and bad choices that we each make). Their testimony confirms that Jesus is true to His word. Jesus sought this joy for His disciples.
I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
John 15:11 NIV
There truly is joy in the journey (as Michael Card sang), and while it can be uncomfortable to give up our preferences (i.e., while we still stick to the belief that we know better than God about what we should be doing), God’s love for us, combined with His wisdom, means that His direction for us is truly the best.
This joy of living righteously is something that I think the TV series, “The Chosen”, has helped a lot of people appreciate. While this is not meant to be an advertisement, that series (at least, the episodes I’ve seen) shows Jesus and the people around Him enjoying life, rather than being stuck in some sort of boring, rule-driven legalism. They enjoy spending time with friends and family, and even when there are challenges, there is hope.
Conversely, I believe that the church does a disservice to culture when it focuses only on telling people not to do things that they want to do. There’s no need to call sinful things “good”, of course, but based on Jesus’ comments in this chapter, I think that we should also celebrate the joy that results from following God’s superior prescription for our lives.
A colleague was talking with me at work a while back. She described how she had been sick for a while, but didn’t realize how sick she was until she got better. The illness had become “normal”, so that only by healing up could she appreciate how much better she could be.
Like those who continue to suffer with a condition when offered medicine, there are plenty of spiritually sick people around us, some of whom fear the cure of “Christianity” (as they perceive it) more than the sickness of sin. They could be better, but they don’t realize how bad things have gotten for them apart from the Lord. The path to salvation isn’t in a “religion” (as some people perceive this term), though, but in Jesus Christ Himself, and He is the source of joy, purpose, and even our very existence.
May Christians think about ways to express to others the blessings and joy that come from following Jesus, and then share these testimonies with those who aren’t aware that these are part of God’s plan. Yes, there are sinful behaviors that God would have us avoid, but these aren’t a great loss (despite how it might feel – at first – to give them up). At most, they bring fleeting fun, and require ongoing abuse of ourselves or others to keep the good feelings going. Or, they exact an ugly toll on us: in our body, heart, mind, and spirit.
May your joy, my joy, and the joy of all those around us, be complete in Jesus. And, in doing so, may we also consider the privilege of bringing joy to Him, too.
From Sunday School lesson prepared for January 28, 2024
References:
- The Lookout, January 28, 2024, © 2024 Christian Standard Media.
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – John, by Beauford H. Bryant and Mark S. Krause. © 1998 College Press Publishing Co.
Those Who Sin Differently 