Where does the Christian find joy? The apostle John gives us some insights from his first letter.

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us—that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

— 1 John 1:1-4 (ESV)

The greatest joy of a Christian is to share the gospel and to see people come to the saving knowledge in Jesus Christ. There is no greater joy, yet it is a joy that comes all too irregularly to many Christians. The Christian’s earthly life is nothing except the great joy of sharing the good news of life and fellowship within the body of Christ—His Church, and with the Father and the Son, Jesus Christ. The only greater joy lies after our earthly life, found in the final appearance and entrance into the heavenly presence of God.

This gospel is real. Despite Satan’s efforts to water down and dilute the message of the gospel, Christians need to realise this 2000 year old message is still full of life and powerful, changing the lives of people everyday for eternity. We may not share the firsthand witness of the Apostles, but we share in the life-changing power and majesty of the gospel’s work in our lives.

Christians! My brothers and sisters-in-Christ, do not forget what we have heard, what we have seen, what we have experienced concerning the word of life. This life was made alive in us by the work of the Holy Spirit, so let us testify and proclaim it to the world around us, that many might come to Jesus and enter in fellowship with us, and with the Father, the Son—Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.