Joy is a readily understood word, so a Christian’s joy may seem to be self-evident. As a word, “joy” means pretty much the same in the English as it does in the Greek – the language in which the New Testament was originally written.
Webster defines the English word as, “A: the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires; B: the expression or exhibition of such emotion.” The occurrences of “joy” in the New Testament all stem from the same Greek word “chara” meaning cheerfulness, calm delight, gladness.
Interestingly, Dr. Andy Woods knows what the Christian’s joy is not. At 1:38 in his explanation of 1 John, he says that John wrote because he was afraid, “that they are going to lose their joy (not their salvation, but their joy). And his fear is that they are not going to be fully rewarded at the judgement seat of Christ (he’s not afraid that they’re going to go into hell).” Is that accurate with Scripture?
How Scripture answers "What is a Christian’s joy?"
A Christian’s joy is not devoid of the human emotion5. However, as a fruit of the Spirit13, it must assume more than simply a human emotion. A Christian’s joy is rooted in one’s Christian faith1,2,4,13 (being “in the Holy Spirit”12) and their continued walk/obedience to God’s word3,5,7 – the very spiritual fellowship John1,2 is concerned about. In fact, a Christian’s spiritual joy may include things that would naturally bring us pain or sorrow10,11 or sacrifice12. Ultimately, the lifelong journey of being faithful to the end1,2,5,6,7,9,14,15 is a “perfect and complete”10 Christian joy.
A “Christian’s joy” is a mutual, shared joy among all faithful saints1,2,3,8,14, including Jesus, Himself4,15. Contrary to Dr. Woods’ statement, Scripture generally3,4,5,7,8,9,10,14, and John specifically1,2 is, in fact, equating a loss of Christian joy with a loss of salvation and a heavenly reward in the end11,15.
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