Why So Mopey, Christian?

 

Have you ever heard the phrase “mopey mule”? Tired or rested, mules have long faces and droopy ears that naturally paint the picture of something gloomy, tired and dragging along. Though a donkey, think Eeyore.

Now envision a mopey Christian. A gloomy faced, sagging shouldered Christian with a defeated spirit. Charles Spurgeon once told a joke to challenge the demeanor of many Christians: “A little girl looked at a horse and said, ‘That horse must be a Christian; it’s got such a long face!’”

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Sadly, Christians have long had a reputation in some circles for being somber, rigid, and devoid of joy. Why? Is it life’s difficulties? Christians are certainly not immune to pain and suffering. Yet the Christian’s joy is rooted in spiritual realities that remain true despite suffering.

The Bible commands Christians to “Rejoice in the Lord always.” Then Paul adds, “Again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4). God commands such joy because “the joy of the LORD is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). Deep seated joy is rooted in God’s character, forgiveness, and faithfulness.

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God’s Character: God’s character is unchanging (see James 1:17). If God was malicious, unforgiving, unloving or indifferent, being perpetually miserable would be warranted. But the Bible conveys a different God. God is sovereign, loving and gracious. Merciful, kind and patient. All powerful, all knowing and present. This warrants joy.

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God’s Forgiveness: Sin has made man the object of God’s holy wrath (see Romans 1:18). At the cross, God offered His Son to bear the wrath our sins deserve. There Christ “Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross” (1 Peter 2:24), so that we sinners might “have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:14). Gratitude for grace should fill every redeemed heart.

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God’s Faithfulness: God does not fail or forget His promises (see Hebrews 10:23). Therefore, promises like Romans 8:28 fill us with hope because God can bring good from adverse circumstances. Promises like Hebrews 13:5–6 give us peace because God will never forsake or abandon us. And promises like Hebrews 4:16 give us confidence that God will supply mercy and grace in our time of need.

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As we see, Christians have abundant reasons for joy, gratitude, hope, peace, and confidence because of God’s character, forgiveness, and faithfulness. So why so mopey, Mr. Christian? Joyless Christianity contradicts the spiritual realities you possess.

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Written by Craig Ressler