We often think that rejoicing is a response to something amazing or miraculous. Rejoicing is an exuding of praise, the expression of exultation done in thanksgiving. Rejoicing is spontaneous, arising from a heart that explodes in wonder for the good in our lives. Rejoicing, therefore, is an external manifestation of our internal satisfaction.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But is this all that rejoicing is? Is rejoicing nothing more than an automatic response to that which is good and pleasing? Not according to St. Paul. According to Paul, rejoicing isn\u2019t just an expression of positivity or praise. It is also a \u201csafeguard\u201d for our faith. Rejoicing acts as a shield against the threats to our walk with God. This is why Christians are called to in times of difficulty or struggle. Rejoicing is a necessary spiritual act for all those who wish to live authentic Christian lives.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Of course, when we see the act of rejoicing as a spiritual shield against the threats to our spiritual livelihood, this naturally raises a question: what threats does rejoicing guard us against?<\/p>\n
Rejoicing protects us from the threat of idolatry.<\/h2>\n
The biggest threat to our spiritual life is the supplanting of God in favor of other things. This is the definition of Idolatry. Idolatry simply means we worship something other than the Lord. This was the temptation we saw in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit for they believed that the fruit would provide something for them that God could not, or would not, provide. In that moment, their faithful allegiance was turned away from Godly obedience, and toward the maximization of their own pleasures.<\/p>\n
This temptation is played out throughout scripture. As Israel wandered through the Exodus, they were continually tempted to adopt the worship practices of other nations. Similarly, Paul often preached in cities filled with idols and pagan temples. Famously, in Athens, Paul said \u201cI even found a statue to an unknown God\u201d (Acts 17:23<\/a>) Amid a polytheistic world, and against the urge to find a synergy between religions, Paul maintained the unique Lordship of Jesus Christ. His message was that \u201cthere is no other name under heaven by which we might be saved\u201d (Acts 4:12<\/a>).\u00a0<\/p>\n So, how does rejoicing guard against idolatry? Simply, rejoicing unites us to Jesus. Paul writes \u201cRejoice in the Lord.<\/em>\u201d \u00a0Rejoicing is not a non-descript act of positivity or joy, it is a conscious act of exalting the Lordship of Christ. We hold Jesus before us, and we offer him our praise and our thanks. In Jesus, we recognize the fullness of redemption, love, and grace. Rejoicing, therefore, is a response to the gift of redemption, revealed in Jesus. Thus, through consistent rejoicing, we guard against being swayed by the spiritual claims of idols because rejoicing in the Lord ensures that our vision is perpetually on Christ alone, and in his light, all idols are but pale imitations.\u00a0<\/p>\n Like the threat of idolatry, the threat of pride looms large. Pride is just a veiled version of idolatry because when we are prideful, we are praising and exulting ourselves. Pride causes us to believe that our accomplishments merit divine favor. We believe that we have earned our salvation based solely on our good works.\u00a0<\/p>\n Sadly, this threat still exists in the church. Some believe that heightened religious observance sways God in our favor. If one \u201cprays correctly\u201d or attends the \u201cright\u201d church, then God\u2019s blessing will be unlocked in their life. Others believe that a heredity of church attendance is what merits divine favor. If we can link our spiritual life to influential people of the past, then God will have no choice but to bless us.<\/p>\n The early Christians faced similar threats. Paul frequently contrasted his message with that of the \u201csuper-apostles<\/a>\u201d who based their preaching on the largeness of their following and the greatness of their public accolades. Paul, however, refuses to do so, acknowledging that \u201cI count everything as loss because of the surpassing wealth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord\u201d (Philippians 3:8<\/a>). Paul understood that he could not create his redemption and that the accolades and accomplishments of his Pharisaic life were \u201crubbish\u201d when it came to salvation and the forgiveness of sins.<\/p>\n Rejoicing demands that we see ourselves rightly. Yes, rejoicing recognizes that we are beloved children of God, people of value and worth; but rejoicing also calls us to be humble before our Lord. \u201cAll have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and are justified by his grace as a gift\u201d (Romans 3:23-24<\/a>). We rejoice because the forgiveness we can never earn, and the new life we can never claim for ourselves, are gifted to us in Jesus Christ. Thus, rejoicing involves a bowing of ourselves before the greatness of Christ.<\/p>\n The struggles and discouragement of life can easily distract us from Christ\u2019s presence. Even if we live stalwart lives, in humility and faithfulness before God, we can easily become disheartened when we face times of difficulty. Hopelessness can threaten even the strongest of Christians. It is for this reason that we are called to rejoice.<\/p>\n Initially, this might sound strange. Why do we rejoice when things go awry? Biblical rejoicing, however, is not simply a response to what happens to us, but a daring incarnation of our trust in Jesus. Rejoicing safeguards against hopelessness because, through rejoicing, we live out the truth that Christ is present. In rejoicing, we incarnate the reality that we are not alone, and thus we walk in hope, despite what life may throw at us. Christ walks with us, and his love enfolds our lives. Rejoicing isn\u2019t just escapism; it is a bold commitment to recognize the presence of Christ in each circumstance of life.<\/p>\n This is what distinguishes worldly thanksgiving from true, biblical rejoicing. The call to \u201crejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances\u201d (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18<\/a>), is a call to recognize the presence of Christ in every circumstance in life. Jesus is not only present in the pure and pristine, but he also walks with us through the mud and muck of life. He goes to the cross, and to the place of death. Thus, in times of hardship, the Holy Spirit works in our lives, bringing forward God\u2019s good and perfect will for us. Rejoicing is an act of trust in Christ\u2019s goodness.<\/p>\n This is the spiritual disposition in which the followers of Jesus are called to live. Jesus says to the disciples \u201cBlessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven\u201d (Luke 6:22-23<\/a>). Through rejoicing we claim the truth that our lives are held in the loving hands of Christ.<\/p>\n Whether we fight against idolatry, pride, or hopelessness, rejoicing imbeds our life in the presence of Christ. Through rejoicing, we become more deeply aware of the Spirit\u2019s work of love, guidance, and deliverance. This affects our testimony<\/a> in this world. Thus, rejoicing is a spiritual practice we would all benefit from engaging with more.<\/p>\n Photo Credit: \u00a9iStock\/Getty Images Plus\/ipopba<\/span><\/em><\/p>\nRejoicing protects us from the threat of pride.<\/h2>\n
Rejoicing protects us from the threat of hopelessness.<\/h2>\n
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<\/source><\/picture>The Reverend Dr. Kyle Norman\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>is the Rector of St. Paul\u2019s Cathedral, located in Kamloops BC, Canada. \u00a0He holds a doctorate in Spiritual formation and is a sought-after writer, speaker, and retreat leader. His writing can be found at Christianity.com,\u00a0crosswalk.com<\/a>,\u00a0ibelieve.com<\/a>, Renovare Canada, and many others. \u00a0He also maintains his own blog\u00a0revkylenorman.ca<\/a>. \u00a0He has 20 years of pastoral experience, and his ministry focuses on helping people overcome times of spiritual discouragement.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n