Joy Comes at a Cost

I was sitting in church last Sunday and marveling at the deep joy I had been experiencing. My thoughts immediately started down a path of all that I had done to get to this place. And then I paused. I caught myself in a temptation to take credit for something that was not done on my own merit and I had to humbly repent of any such notion.

This joy came from salvation in Christ whose body was broken for our souls.

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds, you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. 1 Peter 2:24-25

This joy comes from a cross we are called to carry and a dying to self in order to live.

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake, will find it…” Matthew 16:24-25

For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21

This joy comes from hard and painful sanctification that can have us broken at the foot of the throne of grace and mercy, with a healing that is a salve to our souls.

For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 1 Peter 4:12-3

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith – more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire – may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:6-7

This joy of mine came at a cost…