Jesus, in John 15:11, says “these things I have spoken to you.” What things is He referring to that should bring us great joy? Jesus is referring to our abiding in Him. Our fruitfulness, our obedience, our perseverance, our pursuit of holiness. In addition, we should find overflowing joy when we experience His love that He pours out on us. These things will produce His joy in us. We will be so filled with it that it spills over the sides and all over the people we come into contact with each day. When we are pursuing holiness and we abide in Jesus, then the outward expression in even some of the most difficult trials will be a genuine happiness and deep rooted joy that can only come from Christ.

“I do not know when I am more perfectly happy than when I am weeping for sin at the foot of the cross.” – Spurgeon

“There is a joy which is not given to the ungodly, but to those who love Thee for Thine own sake, whose joy Thou Thyself art. And this is the happy life, to rejoice to Thee, of Thee, for Thee; this it is, and there is no other.” – Augustine

I believe God does desire for us to be happy when we are in hot pursuit of Him. Happiness is not a direct opposite of holiness as some well intended Christians may say, but happiness is a genuine byproduct of a holiness rooted deeply in Christ.

Have a blessed day as you seek your joy in Christ alone.