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Enjoy Christ
Have you ever seen artist Grant Wood’s picture, American Gothic? Those two farmers carrying their pitchfork are about the unhappiest people I have ever seen. But… come to think of it, I’ve seen a lot of Christians with that same countenance. Why don’t they enjoy Christ?
As believers in God, we are right to take God, His commandments, and the brevity of life very seriously. God is sovereign. His commands are to be obeyed. And while life is short, eternity is longer than we can possibly imagine. It is serious business to make sure you are going to be in the right place once this life ends. Somewhere in all of that, many have drawn the conclusion that the best way to communicate these truths about our God is to show on our faces the serious nature of life.
But is perpetual misery the correct response to a loving, saving God? Is this the best way to woo a lost and dying world? Even the existential philosopher Nietzsche instinctively saw the flaw. He put it this way:
“If these Christians want me to believe in their God, they’ll have to sing better songs, they’ll have to look more like people who have been saved, they’ll have to wear on their countenance the joy of the beatitudes. I could only believe in a god who dances.”
Nietzsche
To accurately portray our God to a watching world, we need to not only obey Him but to enjoy Him. The very first question of the Westminster Catechism of Faith teaches us this, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.” Jesus puts it this way, These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. John 15:11.
God is to be obeyed and enjoyed.
And when we both obey and enjoy God an amazing thing happens; we are naturally moved to share. For example, when we find a good sale, a great restaurant, or an ideal product, we love to tell our friends. We love to tell them not just to be helpful but because our joy is increased in telling them, in sharing the good news.
C.S. Lewis made this wise observation, I think we delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment. Sharing the grace we have received doesn’t just make others happy, it adds to our joy as well.
Do you want to win your family and friends to faith in your God? Share Him by enjoying Him. There is no cause for sadness when we serve our loving God.
Listen to audio “Enjoy Christ” & Learn:
Do you want to be happier? To enjoy Christ more? Listen to this teaching and learn in an unforgettable way how enjoying God allows you to share God and how sharing God increases your enjoyment of Him.
- Be reminded of the many gifts that God has given just to you
- Increase your daily and hourly joy
- Hear an unforgettable story that will ignite your generosity
- Enjoy Christ like never before
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Other Great Articles You May Enjoy:
Transformational Love
Imitation of Christ
It’s All About Me - Or Is It?
The Beauty of Christ
Grace Like Rain
Hold Fast
Desiring God
Power to Love
Jesus Loves Me
Life Out of Control
God’s Purpose for Your Life
Faith First
Enjoy Christ
