The Unknown Bible - Pastor Bevans Welder

The Joy of Thy Salvation

Ps 51:12

5-17-09

David here speaks of the Joy of God’s salvation. It is appropriate that he would be looking for a restoration of that joy since he had just committed two horrible sins against the Lord. He had committed adultery and then arranged for the death of the woman’s husband to hide his sin. If he could get that joy, he could go on. Otherwise, he was finished.

True salvation yields a joy that is incomparable with all of the other happiness the world might try to produce to counterfeit this real joy. It is a joy that thrives in bad times, in adversity, in pain and even in sorrow. It is a joy that only comes from the Lord in salvation.

And this joy is not just limited to the one who gets saved. There are numerous people who experience joy when a sinner gets saved.

First, there is the Sinner’s Joy. When a person comes to Christ, they immediately have the Holy Spirit as well. And the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, and so forth [Gal 5:22]. There is no way to adequately describe this joy to a sinner once you have experienced it for yourself. A person just has to get saved to know what this joy is all about.

Second. there is the Soul Winner’s Joy. According to 1 Thes 2:19-20, Paul said, “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy.” There are a number of things in the Christian life about which we can rejoice. But there is probably not anything that will give you more joy than to witness to a sinner and watch him get saved. A preacher friend said, “As much as I like to preach, if souls weren’t getting saved, I would just as soon quit the ministry.”

Third, there is the Christians’ Joy. In Acts 2:41-47 the Christians were glad and praising God. There was excitement and joy because the Lord was adding saved people to the church daily. Just think of the mothers who rejoice when their children for whom they have prayed so long get saved. Just listen to the shouts of “Amen” in the congregation when the battle between the Lord and the devil over a soul is finally won by the Lord. Look at the tears of joy that well up in the eyes of saints when another sinner is reconciled to God.

Fourth, there is the Angels’ Joy. There is joy in the presence of the angels of God every time a sinner gets saved [Lk 15:10]. What a fabulous opportunity we have to preach the gospel to the lost and know that the heavenly chorus is striking up more Alleluias and praises for our God and Savior every time a sinner is born again. You can just hear them saying, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.”

Fifth, there is our Savior’s Joy. According to Heb 12:1-2, when Jesus went to the cross, there was joy set before him. He knew how horrible it was going to be to have the wrath of God poured out on him. Yet, he endured the cross because he knew also the great joy that he would have every time a sinner was saved because of his willingness to die and shed his blood. Jesus was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief during his earthly ministry. Now he is a Savior who can rejoice regularly because of souls getting saved.

So, here are some questions for you to consider.

Would you really deny a sinner the opportunity to experience the joy that you have in your salvation? You are really not that selfish.

Would you deny yourself the added joy of leading souls to Christ? Are the pleasures of this world really that much more enjoyable to you than seeing souls come to Jesus? They can’t be unless you are backslidden.

Would you deny the church the joy of seeing souls saved in their midst? More churches today are dead than alive. All of that can change if you will bring sinners to Christ.

Would you really deny the angels in heaven a chance to rejoice after what they had to endure when they watched helplessly as Jesus died on the cross? The angels are ministering spirits who would gladly take your place as a soul winner if God would let them. They want to rejoice continually.

Would you really deny Jesus, the man of sorrows, an opportunity to rejoice by neglecting to lead a soul to Christ? He endured the cross because he knew the joy that would follow. He won’t have that joy if you do not lead souls to him.

Think about it. If you want real joy for yourself all of these folks, then get out and win some souls to Jesus. Amen!!