Topical Bible: Joy of Saints should be in Hope

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The concept of joy in the life of a believer is deeply intertwined with the hope that is found in the promises of God. This joy is not merely an emotional response to favorable circumstances but is rooted in the assurance of God's faithfulness and the future fulfillment of His promises. The joy of the saints is a profound and abiding sense of well-being that transcends present trials and tribulations, anchored in the hope of eternal life and the glory to come.

Biblical Foundation

The Scriptures provide a robust foundation for understanding the joy of the saints in hope. In Romans 12:12, the Apostle Paul exhorts believers to "Rejoice in hope, be patient in affliction, be persistent in prayer." This verse encapsulates the essence of Christian joy, which is sustained by hope even amidst suffering. The joy of the saints is not dependent on present circumstances but is a forward-looking anticipation of God's ultimate redemption and the fulfillment of His promises.

In 1 Peter 1:8-9, Peter speaks of the inexpressible and glorious joy that believers experience, even though they have not seen Christ: "Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with an inexpressible and glorious joy, now that you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls." This joy is intimately connected to the hope of salvation, a hope that is both present and future.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The joy of the saints is also a fruit of the Holy Spirit's work within the believer. Galatians 5:22 lists joy as a fruit of the Spirit, indicating that it is a supernatural result of the Spirit's indwelling presence. The Holy Spirit empowers believers to experience joy that is not contingent on external circumstances but is rooted in the hope of God's promises.

Hope as a Source of Joy

Hope serves as a vital source of joy for the saints. In Romans 15:13, Paul prays, "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Here, joy and peace are directly linked to the believer's hope in God, suggesting that hope is both the source and sustainer of joy.

The hope of the saints is not wishful thinking but a confident expectation based on the character and promises of God. Hebrews 6:19 describes this hope as "an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." This hope anchors the believer's joy, providing stability and assurance even in the midst of life's storms.

Joy in Suffering

The joy of the saints is particularly evident in times of suffering. James 1:2-3 encourages believers to "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." The joy in trials is not a denial of pain but a recognition that God is at work, refining faith and producing perseverance.

The Apostle Paul, in 2 Corinthians 4:17, speaks of the light and momentary troubles that are achieving for believers an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. This perspective allows the saints to rejoice in hope, knowing that present sufferings are temporary and are producing an eternal weight of glory.

Eschatological Joy

The ultimate joy of the saints is eschatological, looking forward to the return of Christ and the consummation of God's kingdom. Revelation 21:4 promises that God "will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away." This future hope fuels present joy, as believers anticipate the day when all things will be made new.

In summary, the joy of the saints is deeply rooted in the hope of God's promises, sustained by the Holy Spirit, and is both a present reality and a future expectation. This joy transcends circumstances, providing strength and encouragement as believers await the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 12:12
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Perseverance of Saints.
... the presence of his glory with exceeding joy." Again, Peter says, of all the elect
or saints, 1 Peter 1:5 ... I have preached to others, I myself should be a ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture l perseverance of saints.htm

The Death of the Righteous
... In fine erit gaudium sine fine [At the last our joy shall be ... How come the saints
to have all this gain? ... God would be merciful, and they hoped they should go to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/1 the death of the.htm

All Saints' Day
... Now let us consider the company of Saints who followed Him up ... nothing should be wanting
whence this Birth should proceed ... The joy is so great that no one in this ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/sermon xxv all saints day.htm

Joy Born at Bethlehem
... Herein, then, there was cause for joy. ... to the Father of the faithful that in his
seed should all the ... uttered by the mouths of prophets and of saints since the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/joy born at bethlehem.htm

That Pious Parents have Reason to Hope it is Well with those Dear ...
... and the Toys of Children, to be a Companion with Saints and Angels ... no Language, but
that of Heaven, to describe the sacred Joy which such ... "Lord," should each of ...
/.../iv that pious parents have.htm

Psalm XVI.
... and temporal, to enjoy: the portion of the Saints is the ... moved." For He favoureth
Me, that I should abide fixedly ... to Me." "Thou wilt fill Me with joy with Thy ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xvi.htm

Christ's Millennial and Heavenly Glory in Company with his Saints.
... worthy that His servants should have their joy in the ... is completed the resurrection
of the saints, who rise ... in fact, it so often does), I should still possess ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xxv christs millennial and heavenly.htm

God's Inheritance in the Saints
... of God Himself as the rapture of our joy and the ... belongs, and can only belong to,
'the saints.' So, then ... to go to heaven when you die, that you should be very ...
/.../gods inheritance in the saints.htm

The First Chapter: the Great Reverence with which we Should ...
... life-giving Godhead no unbecoming thought should arise and ... He composed psalms and
ordered them sung with joy. ... on the altar, my God, Saint of saints, Creator of ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the first chapter the great.htm

Our Hope is not Death.
... is passing strange that Bible teachers should have confounded ... the Lord is a cause
of joy and comfort ... Son from heaven" - these Thessalonian saints were looking ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/3 our hope is not.htm