Joy Over A Repentant Sinner

I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. Luke 15:7

How great it is to be filled with joy and happiness. As humans, we experience a vast range of emotions - some more enjoyable than others. The warm feeling of acceptance, belonging, and purpose are great feelings. Happiness and joy are what most people strive for.

Christians are blessed with a righteous purpose of serving God. We are blessed with acceptance from our Father in heaven, being justified by His Son, Jesus (Romans 3:24). God’s sons and daughters in Christ receive the true sense of belonging by being added to His Church - joining His wondrous family.

There are so many things that cause us joy - both physical things and (especially) spiritual things. As God’s people, we ought to be a joyous people. In fact we are commanded to “rejoice always” in 1 Thessalonians 5:16. Our great, good God wants us to be happy!

One event that should cause each of us a surge of joy is when a sinner turns to God and repents; when one who was lost obeys the gospel and has their sins washed away. When a new soul is added to the Church and when a new name is entered in the Book of Life, there is cause for rejoicing.

It is good for us to be joyful over the lost being found. As we read in Luke 15:7, we know that there is rejoicing that takes place in heaven. There is an abundance of joy when a soul is saved from the condemnation that awaits those who refuse to submit to the Lord and, instead, now has the hope of eternal life (Matthew 25:46).

Let us try and be the joyous, happy people that God wants us to be. Whether one becomes a new Christian or a fallen brother comes back, let us remember to be especially joyful when a sinner repents.

                -- John Thrower Jr.