Without Saying a Word

I can always tell when I have said or did something that made my wife Joyce unhappy with me. As soon as the words leave my mouth, the expression on her face tells me what she is thinking, without her saying a word! Joyce speaks as much with her facial expressions as she does with her words. I have always jokingly told her, I was going to make a calendar that displayed her facial expressions, with a definition on each month. The only problem with this idea is that 12 months is not enough to display all the different expressions she uses. So my difficult question to you is why do so many Christians think that it acceptable or even pleasing to God to attend church and worship with a facial expression that looks like they have just drank a glass of vinegar?

Luke 2:10 ESV And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

If we are honest, all of us must admit that it is very easy to become grumpy and disgruntled at times while we are working or serving others in the church. Perhaps we are overworked and interrupted by overly demanding people. That being said Christians should avoid the sourpuss syndrome at all costs! What message is this giving those attending the church, that may not yet have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal savior? I have a low tolerance for gloomy, melancholy Christians whose sourpuss faces contrast with the joy of the Gospel! Instead of living from a profound sense of security that you should have from knowing the love of Jesus Christ and the assurance his forgiveness! This should give us a deep-down joy! The “Good News” is a gospel of peace, because it brings peace between God and those who put their faith in Jesus Christ: Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because you have placed your faith in Jesus Christ, He has brought you into this place of undeserved privilege.

Romans 5: 1-2 ESV Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Christians are ultimately just people, meaning they struggle with the same bad days, stress, and relationship issues, just like everyone else. Unfortunately, a joyless disposition can act as a poor advertisement for your faith. Some people live right but they always look like they have spent the night drinking a bottle of lemon juice. If you struggle in this area, you need to listen carefully. Your salvation should be the source of great joy, and that joy and happiness should be expressed in your life in a dynamic way!

John 15:11 ESV These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

Joy is one of the hallmarks of the Kingdom of God. Even when we are going through a rough patch, the Bible says we are to be full of joy. Joy makes the gospel attractive. If you put on a sour face all the time and you have a negative disposition, you will scare people away from church. You make the gospel seem like something people would never want. Like the old hymn says: “Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, just to take him at his word; just to rest upon his promise and to know, Thus saith the Lord.” I may not know what tomorrow brings but I know the one who holds tomorrow!