Limitless Riches of Christ — Inexpressible Joy
As we proceed in considering the limitless riches that God has prepared for us in Christ, we notice how great God’s preparation has been for us. God has considered every aspect of our present and eternal life in giving His Son. Peter was considering the heavenly inheritance that has been prepared for us in Christ.
1 Peter 1:3-9 NKJV Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.
This text addresses what life really is like. Even though we know that our names are written down in the Lamb’s Book of Life and we have hope of heaven, we experience fiery tests and various trials. The truth of the matter is none of these things diminish or destroy our faith and trust in God. “For the joy of the Lord is our strength,” (Nehemiah 8:10). We know God is working for our good and have confidence in the limitless riches that have been prepared for us in Christ. Even though we do not see Him, we still believe, and that faith causes us to rejoice with inexpressible joy that is full of glory.
Everything the Lord does for us increases our joy.
Consider that God has called us His children.
1 John 3:1 NKJV Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!
Being made God’s children has given us access to the limitless riches of Christ for our everyday lives. Since we are now the children of God, we have been made a public display to the world.
Watch how this has changed us.
1 John 4:4 tells us: “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
Philippians 4:4–5 NASB95 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.
Since we are of God and have overcome the world, we rejoice. It is impossible to hide what the Lord has done in us. As a result of being made God’s children and representatives of Christ, we have been given inexpressible joy and full glory. His joy gives us strength that sustains us in every situation. This joy of the Lord is deep in our heart, soul, mind, and bodies, regardless of the circumstances we face. Since we have an abiding deep joy within us, we should practice letting it show.
Philippians 4:4-6 NLT Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.
Is it really possible to have inexpressible joy and full glory regardless of what happens in our lives?
We are being told we should have joy that continues to rejoice in the Lord. We have a better answer to life than the world has. When things happen in our lives, instead of worrying, we take it to the Lord and give Him thanks. We have confidence that the Lord is walking with us in our circumstances and is helping us in every situation. That is why he says, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.”
In the parable to the sower, Jesus taught that the cares of this life can and will choke out the Word of God in our hearts.
We need to reject the excessive preoccupation with the issues and troubles of this world!When faced with these things, bring them to God in prayer and roll the burden of them over on the Lord.
1 Corinthians 7:32 “I want you to be free from the worries of this life.”
Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
How can we rejoice in every circumstances?
There is more to rejoicing and having full inexpressible joy than developing a positive outlook on life. We actually know that God is working in our behalf. Since God is working in us and for us, we are encouraged to think right and look at life from His point of view.
This kind of perspective chooses to think differently.
This new life in Christ Jesus gives us reason to rejoice and have fullness of joy.
The Psalmist said: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.” (Psalms 23:4)
Worry and fear calculates the end of your circumstances with human terms and equations. It cannot see that God is near and that He will help. It says, “There is a lion outside the door” and the normal human response isfear. Trusting in the Lord calculates the end of your circumstances through the will and power of God for your life. This is not a denial that “a lion is outside the door” but it says, “Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world.” The Holy Spirit gives God’s joy, peace and love while we are going through the flood, fire, and test. This joy, peace and love is evident to those around us.
It is demonstrated by the way that we handle hard situations. We do not have the same attitude or anxiety as the world.
2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Do you really believe that God is in control of everything?
If God is in control, you don’t have to be afraid. If God is in control, you can rejoice and be glad. When you recognize that God is in control, you will have a peace that passes understanding. We are told to roll all our burdens, problems, sorrows, and needs over on the Lord God in prayer. God is bigger than all your problems.
Since God is in control, you can live with full joy and when we do that, something amazing happens.
In Philippians 1:18-19 LB Paul said: “I am going to keep on being glad, for I know that… this is all going to turn out for my good.”
Paul believed that God was managing his life. We need to practice getting our burdens, problems, sorrows and needs out of us and giving them to God. By faith, cast off your burdens and give them to the Lord.
Psalm 43:4 David said: “I will go to God – the source of all my joy.”
You can tell God everything in prayer. He wants to be included in every aspect of your life: your physical and emotional struggles, joys and sorrows. Bring them all out into the open before God. Bring them to the light of His presence. Come before Him presenting what is really on your heart.
John 15:11 NKJV Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
NCV — “I have told you these things so that you can have the same joy I have and so that your joy will be the fullest possible joy.”
NLT — “I have told you this so that you will be filled with My joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!”
If you want to keep your joy, you have to stop practicing your troubles and start practicing the presence of God in your life.
In His presence is fullness of joy; at His right hand are pleasures forevermore, (Psalms 16:11).
Psalm 42:11 NIV Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
You can practice this right now. Start saying, “My hope is in God, My Savior!”
In John 14:1 AMP Jesus said: “DO NOT let your hearts be troubled (distressed, agitated). You believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely on God; believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely also on Me.
Jesus is saying “stop giving yourself permission to be troubled.”
Pay attention to what He has done for you so that you may have full peace, hope and joy.
In John 14:27 AMP He said: “Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful, intimidated, cowardly and unsettled.]”
Jesus is saying: “Take control of the way you respond to life’s situations.”
Face your various trials, tests, and afflictions with faith. Choose how to respond to these things. We can choose peace or trouble. We can stay calm or become agitated. We can rejoice or we can complain.
The Psalmist said, “My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.”
The Lord God Almighty is on your side. He is telling you that there is great joy up ahead.“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” (Psalms 30:5)
John 16:33 AMP I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation, trials, distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]
If you believe that God has taken this kind of action, you can live in His joy.
Jesus made this point clear and we need to hold on steadfastly.
He said: “I have spoken to you so that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:11)
“I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.” (John 16:22-24)
Notice the permanence of this joy. The Lord does not want His Church, His bride, God’s children living in sorrow, grief, and defeat.
The Early church was filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.
- Acts 13:52 — they were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
- Romans 14:17 — The kingdom of God is…joy in the Holy Spirit.
- Romans 15:13 — the God of hope fill you with all joy … by the power of the Holy Spirit.
- Galatians 5:22–23 — The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy…
The life of the overcoming Spirit-filled believer is “full of joy.”
This God-given LIFE OF JOY is an essential part of the limitless riches of Christ.
