What if all Christians had joy?

Question

Just imagine the impact the church would have if all Christians walked in the spirit showing love, peace, forgiveness and joy unspeakable. In this fast paced stress-filled capitalist society I think too many Christians are blending in (I have been guilty of this). How great it is to let go of my own cares/wants/needs and completely trust and delight in Him. If all Christians displayed love and the joy of having a relationship with God then perhaps more people in the world would want what we have, as opposed to regarding as self-righteous hypocrites with nothing of value to offer. Anyone's thoughts on this?

What I mean by joy is not the same as happiness. Joy is not dependent on your circumstances but is an inner peace that comes in completely trusting in and having a purpose in God-- another way to put it - we have happiness BECAUSE of our situation, we have joy IN SPITE OF our situation.
And no it is not a 'clap happy' brainless state of being. It is the sort of peace and contentment that I think everyone in this world through many different ways tries to find.

Answer 1

I agree with you. But you know what made Christians lose their "aroma"? Guilt and condemnation. They are not established in what the cross means for them. They dont open their heart to God..and His love doesnt have the impact you mentioned we can have in the world.Let us,Christians, STOP condemning ourselves for being just flesh and blood,and condemn others also.THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM ! We need to let His love change our hearts.He`s the hearts-opener and the miracle-maker:)

Answer 2

This is what God wants for us. A genuine joy, unspeakable, and full of glory. Walking in the flesh of this life won't get it. One must walk in the spirit. Christians that don't will always have little joy. God gave them a new life because they wert tired of the old life. But then a few years later, they begin 'blending' back into the world. If there is a divided spirit in ones heart that person will not be very happy, even when they are smiling.
'If a man knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin.' Living in a consious understanding that you are not obeying God about something is miserable. I think lots of christians live their entire lives this way today. Then to make matters worse, they will turn back to the beggarly elements of the world to find some 'joy'.

Answer 3

that is not Christian, it is being a good person. those traits can be found in any person of any religion, not just Christian. I think too many Christians are confusing Christianity with Government and Politics. There is no such thing as one true religion, they are all man-made. You can be joyful regardless of whether or not you go to a Christian church, Imagine the impact the church would have if it actually practiced what it preaches, instead of double talking and manipulating. The church is very powerful, that is why many who run for President align themselves with it. Just look at this President's Faith Based initiatives and the God Bless America crap, the church does not need to make any more of an impact to effect the lives of millions of Americans. Imagine if gays had the right to marry. Isn't it the impact of the church that is blocking it?

Answer 4

I personally see where you are coming from I sometimes want everyone to have an inner peace that can only come in Christ Jesus but not all are called to be this way. God said he wants all men to come to him but yet he knows some will deny him. we all know it as free will. those who choose not to believe have made their choice it does not mean they will not have some type of inner peace similar to mine. I make this statement in the face of thousands of answers previous stating how happy athiest are. with that much information I have to believe they have some sort of inner peace. I myself find peace through our Lord Jesus if this makes me weak minded in their eyes then so be it. we all have something we lean on wether its ourselves or our God. but I would much rather depend on an omnipitant being who is all powerful and sovergn who makes promises and always keeps them. than leaning on my own strengths. because I am weak. when people do not believe in Jesus sometimes they develope a stereotypical response such as ALL Christians are hypocrytes. we as Christians cannot even agree on themusic we want at church all the time so how can we ALL be anything let alone hypocrytes. we are commanded to love God then love our neighbors. these 2 are more important than any other commandment and I think if we learn to do that all else will follow. because we do not believe in some peoples actions do we need to respond with anger. no someties responding with love and kindness will allow to reach your foot in the door and provide opportunities to show your love through your actions. we live by example our loudest voice is through our honest actions that are seen outwardly not our voice yelling at the top of our lungs Jesus is Lord. although true it does not allways further his kingdom. no where in the bible does it say a loud yelling voice. it says a small still voice. you are correct if we all lived as we should more people would want that inner peace that so many Christians have.

Answer 5

That will be something,tell that to my mother in law I am so sick of her she is pushing and I am going to the other side if only she wasn't so self-righteous,plus she a hypocrites she said one thing and mean another she doesn't know I have read the bible in fact I look up every words she quote and find she a liar,but I have to find verses for her and she and her husband go to church every sunday and I am not that smart. They have been to bible school I heart this all of the time I did not have to go to a bible school to understand the bible.

Answer 6

Well, that would make this "Joy" person a wh*re. Anyway, good point, but you would all rather judge and commit the same sins for which you judge others. Way to corrupt your own religion, "Joy"!

Answer 7

I think that you are right! When we fail to act as Christians it does so much harm...we are not of the world and should not act as though we are. Thank you for the reminder to pray that God will continue to increase in me while I decrease!

Answer 8

joy and hope are not the same thing.....ive only experienced joy 5 times in my life on 5 days....hope yes i have that all the time but human life is not easy and we are always so tired

Answer 9

Hmmmm, Christians actually do have lots to offer but being brainwashed and clap-happy isn't one of the most appealing traits...

Answer 10

if that is so good than every body will become christian than it will be no other religion
we mankind has sin we have to suffer and feel pain and many many more problems