Jesus came that we would have and ENJOY life to the full until it overflows (John 10:10). What an amazing God!
Everything for Our Enjoyment
Indeed, God placed His kids in the garden of Eden.“Eden” means “pleasure or delight” (Genesis 2:8). What a delightful God to place His kids in something enjoyable and full of pleasure!
1 Timothy 6:17 (AMP) reveals:
17 As for the rich in this present world, instruct them not to be conceited and arrogant, nor to set their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly and ceaselessly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
Here, we can see that God longs for us to enjoy our everyday lives – in the present and eternally.
Righteousness, Peace, and Joy
Moreover, the kingdom of Heaven is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). Enjoyment seems to be premium in the kingdom of God! What a concept!
The idea that enjoyment is not only OK, but important to God flies in the face of a sin-conscious filter, that purports God is distant and disapproving. Filters like these result in seeing the natural realm as inherently evil and only the spiritual realm being good. This has much more to do with Gnosticism, and Platonism/Neo-Platonism than pure gospel Christianity. Moreover, I heard so much in my early Christian walk that our feelings do not matter – only faith matters (I still get this pushback). This has never sat right. It makes God out to be hard-nosed, and impassible (incapable of suffering or of experiencing pain). From this perspective, He seems to demand faith, while keeping His blessings just out of reach, because our faith is never enough. The mantra sounds something like, “God has given us so many blessings, BUT…Jesus did His part, we need to do our part” …right?
The Performance of Christ
Well, I have happy true gospel news. Jesus FULFILLED humanity’s part to play! It is not about our performance, but about His.
It is not about our faith, but about His faith imparted to us.
AND, most of all – God is Love (1 John 4:8, 16).
Love is patient and kind (1 Corinthians 13:4). His fruit includes joy, peace, goodness, gentleness (Galatians 5:6). He has tender mercies (Psalms 103:3).
God is Love – He is a GOOOOOD Father and wants happy, thriving kids, who are enjoying life! Sons and daughters do not have to prove their worthiness to enjoy the family privileges. The worthiness of royalty is based on birth, not the heirs’ performance. This is why we have permission to fully enjoy life!
Kingdom of Joy
We have already been made kings and priests (Revelation 1:6, 5:10; 1 Peter 2:9). We are the kings and lords that Christ is King and Lord over (1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 17:14, 19:16). Our kingship and lordship is from the kingdom of heaven, which is righteousness, peace and joy (Romans 14:17). We are enforcing and expanding that Kingdom so that the knowledge of the glory of God covers the earth as it waters cover the sea (Habakkuk 2:14). Joy is a premium. And knowledge of that is found in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6). How breathtaking!
Apparently, our enjoyment, joy – all our feelings for that matter – matter! They are not Lord. They are indicators. When we lack peace (or wholeness) – that is an indicator that something is missing or broken.
Tangible Delight
I have a question. Why would God make a garden of tangible delight for His kids, where fruit was good for food (tasty – natural sense) and pleasing to the eye (beautiful – natural sense), if the only thing that mattered was spiritual senses and our faith? The truth is it ALL matters – the spiritual realm and the natural realm! Faith is crucial, because it connects us to God, Who is Spirit and transforms the natural realm! But we use the faith of Love, Himself (Hebrews 12:2) and faith works by Love (Galatians 5:6). God is one with ALL His creation! So, enjoy your life and the good things of life. Just trust in Christ, the Living God (as 1 Timothy 6:17 says), Who is the Source of all good and delightful things!
I trust this has been an encouragement to you! I’d love to hear from you!
XO,
Catherine
