The Reason to Rejoice

“I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.  However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”  Luke 10:19-20

What most excites you about your faith?  When you think about all the benefits, all the possibilities we have as followers of Christ, what gives you the greatest joy?

Do you think about peace that passes understanding?  “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:6-7

Does your mind go to the presence of the Holy Spirit?  “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”  John 14:16-17

Maybe it’s the permanent nature of God’s love for us.  “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Romans 8:38-39

Or, what about the availability of God’s power?  “His incomparably great power (is) for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.”  Ephesians 1:19-21

The disciples were excited as they returned from a successful time of ministry.  “The seventy-two returned with joy and said, ‘Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.’”  Luke 10:17  And while we share their desire to be faithful and successful in the work of God’s kingdom, what should get most of our focus, is the miraculous truth of God’s salvation through Jesus Christ.

Take a moment to rejoice in the one thing that makes all the difference.

“We also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”  Romans 5:11