2 Corinthians 1:24 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith you stand. Even when the immediate effect of the apostle's language and action was to produce heaviness and grief of spirit, the real and ultimate design was to awaken and to intensify spiritual joy. A benevolent nature can find no pleasure in the infliction of suffering; yet it may be that, as was the case with these Corinthians, the way of sorrow and repentance is the only path which can lead to true and lasting gladness. I. THE CAUSES OF CHRISTIAN JOY. It is well known what the world calls joy - pleasure, mirth, exhilaration of spirits, occasioned by festivity and by prosperity. But the Scriptures represent, what Christian experience supports, that there are purer sources of nobler joy. 1. The joy of spiritual deliverance, known by those who are emancipated from the bondage of sin, ignorance, and error. 2. The joy occasioned by Divine favour. The psalmist appreciated this when he exclaimed, "Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us; thou hast put gladness in my heart more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased." 3. The joy of anticipating the gracious and final approval of God. II. THE MANIFESTATIONS OF CHRISTIAN JOY. 1. The most natural sign of spiritual gladness consists in the abundant utterance of thanksgiving and praise. "Is any merry? Let him sing psalms." 2. Where there is inward joy there is happy and energetic labour for Christ. "The joy of the Lord is your strength." Whilst a gloomy disposition cripples the energies of the worker, gladness within expresses itself in cheerful toil. He works well who "sings at his work." III. THE WAYS IN WHICH THE CHRISTIAN MINISTER MAY HELP HIS PEOPLE'S JOY. 1. By presenting those Divine truths which are the spring and source of joy. 2. By fortifying their minds against all that would disturb and spoil their joy. 3. By providing for them outlets, in worship and in work, for the expression of the joy that is in them. 4. By encouraging all those special exercises which will promote joy. 5. By exhibiting to them the privilege of rejoicing, as a Christian virtue, and admonishing them to spiritual gladness as a happy duty: "Rejoice in the Lord alway, and again I say, Rejoice," - T. Parallel Verses KJV: Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand. |
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