Fix your eyes on Jesus for pure pleasure

Have you thought about what awesome and exquisite fun is possible, the more you fix your eyes on Jesus? You understand more and more His love His compassion His grace and His graciousness to you. And you begin to realize just how forgiven and how eagerly received by Him you really are! So many Christians live essentially apart from Him -- officially connected but not enjoying Him at all. They say aloof because they don't understand what He's really like. Think of it this way. The fabulous Groom, the ultimate "catch," marries His bride. But thereafter, desolate, she wanders the city streets -- not understanding that He has a home waiting for her, every provision for her needs, a great life together of both purpose and joy, and His own faithful, loving arms. Maybe because of her own low self-image and guilt complex, she spends her time in bars and sleeping around, convinced her Husband couldn't possibly like her or want her. Or maybe, remembering how wonderful He was at the wedding, she thinks if she could just shape up she could win His affection. So she lives a life of grim ascetism -- totally misunderstanding what kind of Man it was she married (Luke 7:33-34). But whether she lives in license or legalisms, she lives far from her Husband's dear presence. She never moves into His home and His heart and has a ball! It makes you want to cry. It makes Him want to cry, too, because it's so unnecessary. He'd written her a wonderful letter explaining just how much He loves her and how much pleasure He has waiting for her. But either she doesn't bother to read it, or else the good parts of the letter just seem to good to be true. Christian, let me describe to you what the letter says it's like, if you'll repent of your distance and confess your sins and move in and live close to Jesus: [Believers] are led in with joy and gladness; They enter the presence of the king (Psalm 45:15). In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand there are pleasures for evermore (Psalm 16:11). You have made [the believer] glad with the joy of your presence (Psalm 21:6). And He'll be so happy, too! The Lord . . . will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing (Zephaniah 3:17). And when He's in the company of His dear ones He loves to party. That's what He's like! Moses and the other spiritual leaders of Israel "went up and saw the God of Israel" -- gulp! -- and "they ate and drank" (Exodus 24:9-11)! King David and his people faithfully sacrificed to atone for their sins, and then "they ate and drank with great joy in the presence of the Lord" (1 Chronicles 29:22). The prodigal son got sick of his waywardness and repented and came home, and his father provided great new clothes for him, a new ring, and a dinner party with music and dancing (Luke 15:22-25). You see, it's only a Christian's own attitude that causes any blockage. When you asked God to forgive you and "save" you (that's a good biblical word) -- from that moment on He doesn't hold anything further against you. He doesn't count your sins against you any more. That's the whole reason for the cross. Jesus did the strongest possible thing -- He sacrificed His own life, to produce the strongest possible salvation -- He completely exonerated you from your sins. Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1)! If you're a believer -- if you're "in Christ" then kick up your heels! Celebrate the Lord! Celebrate yourself! Let all who take refuge in [the Lord] be glad; let them ever sing for joy (Psalm 5:11). Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice! (Philippians 4:4). And Ephesians 1 says twice that God's will and pleasure go together (verses 5 and 9)! Discover what J.I. Packer says are the marks of those who really get to know the Lord: they have "gaiety, goodness, and an unfetteredness of spirit"! They say the missionary to India called "Praying Hyde" was known for two things: the deep commitment of his prayer life and the hilarity of his laugh! "He who is enslaved to the compass has the freedom of the sea." Fix your eyes steadfastly on Jesus -- and discover a life of pleasure you never dreamed possible. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Why don't you pray to Him: Lord, the challenge of Your presence is that it's so purifying . . . but why should I want to stay weighted down with sins, and far from You? With fresh confession of my sins and with humility and awe I come close. "Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice" (Psalm 105:3). Lord, You are wonderful! In Jesus' name, amen. * * * * * "It is very pleasant to live here in our beautiful world. My eyes cannot see the beautiful things, but my mind can see them all, and so I am joyful all the day." --So said blind and deaf Helen Keller. Fix your eyes on Jesus.