When teens are told they cannot do something, at times the response has been, “You don’t let me have any fun.” Rules are often seen as unwanted limitations and a rule setter may be viewed as a “kill joy”. However, being allowed to do whatever we feel like doing, does that always bring joy? Is it not true that lack of joy is sometimes the very result of our own wrong choices? Though we may not always know the “why’s” regarding things urged away from, in spite of the limited wisdom of even good parents, they do set parameters with their children’s best interests at heart. How much more so is this true of our Heavenly Father. His Way is always the best way and the path to genuine joy!
In Paul’s letter to Christians at Rome he noted. . .
“(20) For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. (21) But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. (22) But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. (23) For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:20-23 ESV)
Some are enslaved by sin and don’t even know it or are unwilling to acknowledge it! That slavery eats away at joy as the life is gradually dying away. How does sin kill? Sin separates us from God. Sin also erodes at the life God desires us to experience. It brings bondage. It sets us up for a lack of peace. It can take away the spirit for living. Sin destroys the room for the genuine and lasting joy a life connected with God is destined to provide!
God’s commands all have our best interests in mind. Though He ultimately wants to provide us with eternal life, His Divine standard provides the best life we could possibly live in this realm as well. God is not a kill joy, but rather the instiller of genuine joy; not a joy killer, but a joy filler! In our life connection with the Living Lord, we can have a lasting joy that no one can take from us. (i.e. John 16:22) Retaining the Lord as the Master of our life, the end will be eternal life and the fullness of joy eternal.
Have a great day OF REAL JOYFUL LIVING!
Carl
