Happy Faced Christians

"as sorrowful yet always rejoicing" 

(II Cor. 6: 10)

Christians are admonished to "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!" (Phil. 4: 4) That does not mean that they have no sorrows nor ever suffer depression or anxiety. They are oftentimes in sorrow, or are sorrowful, but at the same time they are "always rejoicing." 

They sing numerous songs that testify to their continual joy in the Lord. Some of my favorite songs express this in their titles such as "Happy Am I" (listen here) and "Singing As I Go" (listen here) and "Sing And Be Happy" (listen here). To rejoice always in the Lord is to be always blessing or praising God. The Psalmist says "I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise will be continually in my mouth." (Psa. 34: 1) 

Does this mean that Christians never feel sad or depressed? No. Life is a mixture of joy and sorrow. "For in much wisdom is much grief, And he who increases knowledge increases sorrow." (Eccl. 1: 18) Jesus was a man of both deep joy and deep sorrow. He was a "man of sorrows and acquainted with grief" (Isa. 53: 3). But, it was also "for the joy set before him" that he "endured the cross." (Heb. 12: 2) 

Too many professing Christians do not live a vibrant life in Christ. 

There can be no real exuberance for living when the soul or spirit is not united to Christ. Christ came into the world, the Son of God became a man, in order that we not only have life, but have an abundant life. (John 10: 10) The early Christians "rejoiced with joy unspeakable (inexpressible) and full of glory." (I Peter 1: 8) True believers are they who "take delight in the LORD." (Psa. 37: 4)

Temporary joy, superficial happiness, is what the mere professing Christian experiences when he becomes a professed believer, and subsequently on rare occasions, but who being not sincere in his faith, being a hypocrite, does not obtain superlative and lasting joy. Jesus described them in the parable of the soils. 

"But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles." (Matt. 13: 20-21)

Even the Pharisees who rejected Jesus found some joy in the preaching of John the Baptist. "He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light," said our Lord to them. (John 5: 35) Is our Christian joy continuous or for short seasons? 

When we are persecuted as Christians we are told to "rejoice exceedingly," knowing that we have a reward in heaven. (Matt. 5: 12) We are also told to "rejoice in tribulations" (Rom. 5: 3), to "count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations" (James 1: 2). This same thought was expressed by the prophet, who said:

"Though the fig tree should not blossom 

And there be no fruit on the vines, 

Though the yield of the olive should fail 

And the fields produce no food, 

Though the flock should be cut off from the fold 

And there be no cattle in the stalls, 

Yet I will exult in the Lord, 

I will rejoice in the God of my salvation." (Hab. 3: 17-18)

In the new testament we have these examples of joy even in tribulation, or when persecuted for Christ's sake: 

"So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name." (Acts 5: 41)

"When they had struck them with many blows, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to guard them securely; and he, having received such a command, threw them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them." (Acts 16: 23-25)

"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation." (I Peter 4: 12-13)

Yes, "keep on rejoicing"! The Christian is able to rejoice even in times of suffering. He can put on a happy face even when fasting or afflicting one's soul. Notice what Jesus said about wearing sad faces.

“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward." (Matt. 6: 16)

Christians sing a lot of songs about putting on a happy face, of giving the world a smile. Of course there are times when we all have sad faces, but these ought to be the exception and not the rule. A person who is walking with God, walking in love, walking in the Spirit, pleasing God, must be a happy person no matter what the earthly condition may be.

JOY may be viewed as an acronym for Jesus - Others - You (Jesus first, others second, you (self) last. Or, Jesus first You last, and nothing (O) in between.

Like the chorus line in the famous hymn "Farther Along" I say to those believers who are suffering - "Cheer up my brother, live in the sunshine."