Daily Devo: Wednesday, Sept 24, 2008

“Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice!”
Phil 4:4 (NKJV)

In Sunday messages we often hear the word “grace”. Most pastors define grace as “unmerited favor”—when we get something good we do not deserve. This certainly is a correct and excellent definition, but its meaning is much bigger. Contained here is the idea of absolute joy, unparalleled happiness, and ultimate merriment. In ancient times, it was used by Greeks as a morning greeting. One would greet family members and friends by saying “grace to you”, a phrase meaning something like “be merry”. This was no half-hearted way of saying ‘hello’. In fact, this expression was used in pagan worship ceremonies to summon the attention of the gods. The devotee would begin worship by declaring he wished his god merriment and joy. The word for “rejoice” (chaéŒroµ) in the New Testament is actually a form of the Greek word for grace (chaŒris). Deep inside everyone desires to be filled with joy and happiness. We fill our lives with celebrations, holidays, birthdays, banquets, and back-yard barbecues because these moments offer us the (all too brief and incomplete) experience of a merry heart. For the Greek citizen to wish another to “be merry” (“grace to you”) was the wish of every person.

Scripture never asks us to follow after God slavishly without the hope of reward. Our Father is not an angry task-master who beats his servants into submission and demands we serve him joylessly. Likewise, salvation is not the promise of getting “stuff” that will make us happy. Though many peddle a gospel that defines happiness as attaining wealth, health or even heaven; the true Gospel defines happiness as something that originates from being in the presence of God. Biblically speaking, true joy is only possible when we are “in Christ”. Left to ourselves, we turn inward for joy. It is in that fallible source where we try to find self-worth and happiness, but are only left with emptiness and disillusionment. However, those who live in the light of Christ recognize that he alone is infallibly truthful and perfect. They experience an everlasting satisfaction and a true sense of worth. Grace certainly is unmerited favor. It is the gift of Christ, which we do not deserve, yet which offers us joy without end.

JG