QUESTION
Over the last few weeks I have heard you talk about danger or being in a dangerous place. What does that mean? Is this a salvation issue? A making bad decisions issue? Can you expand on what you mean by using the word danger? For example, is one in danger if they do not feel the joy of Jesus when talking about God? Thank you.
ANSWER
Great question. I am glad you asked.
You are right that I was referring to being a Christian and not experiencing joy. There is no doubt that all of us go through ups and downs when it comes to how we feel about Jesus.
But if a Christian goes for a long period of time without experiencing joy in Jesus, I do think they are facing a kind of spiritual danger.
Think about it this way.
A mother knows the child is hers, but does not feel any joy in that relationship for a long period of time. You would not question whether she knows the child is hers, but you would recognize that something is wrong in the relationship.
In the same way, having knowledge about Jesus is not the same as treasuring Jesus Himself.
Satan knows a lot about Jesus, but he does not love Jesus or find joy in Him. The point is that knowledge alone is not enough. One of the most uncomfortable truths in Scripture is that it is possible to know true things about Jesus and not actually treasure Jesus Himself.
Consider the Apostle Paul:
“We work with you for your joy” (2 Cor 1:24). Paul is clearly saying that one of his goals in ministry is that people would find joy in Jesus Christ. Throughout the Bible, joy in God is not optional or superficial. It is deeply connected to spiritual health, worship, and genuine faith in Jesus Christ. Knowledge of God’s Word is essential. But if that knowledge is not leading us toward deeper love for Christ, greater delight in Him, and fuller joy in Him, we should stop and ask why.
The danger could be that we have lost sight of the gospel, are afraid of emotionalism, do not understand that we are commanded in God’s Word to be joyful, may know about Jesus but do not know Him personally, or have subtly drifted into a Christianity that is mainly about duty.
The goal in talking about this issue is not to trouble the heart and mind of a genuine Christian. The goal is to point us back to what the Bible says repeatedly.
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11