As I stop and reflect on this topic, I am sure you and I can identify a plethora of joyful events where joy trumped throughout our life. I think about meeting the girl of my dreams, our marriage, my first big motorcycle, off to college, our first and second child, our first pet, graduations upon graduations, our first home, my first real job, officiating my oldest daughter’s wedding, our first grandchild, and on and on this list can go. It’s fun to recall those great times throughout one’s life and sometimes we need to do it more often.

On top of these great moments in life come the spiritual joys that only our Heavenly Father can provide. I remember it like it was yesterday. The pastor who married my wife and I visited us six months later to share the gospel with us. It was an incredible and unforgettable day that changed our lives forever. I vividly remember asking the pastor, “How come no one has ever told me before about Jesus?”

Coming out of a lifestyle that did not involve spiritual living or ever going to church, my conversion experience in the Lord took on a sense of joy like never before. To be forgiven of my sins now and forever, unbelievable; to become a child of God, unimaginable; to hear the glorious truth that I was walking in eternal life and Christ was returning one day for me to be with Him in heaven, unthinkable! The Lord, my God, gave me a new song; a second chance to live life to my fullest because of His great love for me at Calvary. But this isn’t just for me, “…but also to all who have longed for his appearing” (2Timothy 4:8). The day I received Christ, my life was filled with unspeakable joy, and it is all because someone told us about Jesus. I often wonder what my life would be like if Pastor Jones hadn’t come to share Christ with us that day!

Let me tell you a story that happened to me recently. I work at a Christian middle and high school where the students and staff are a joy to be around. When my day starts to get stressful, I visit the classrooms or step outside where students and teachers are bustling around. As I was walking around while the students were changing classes, I had a brief exchange with one of the middle school students who came up beside me to chat as we walked to his class. Before he entered the classroom he stopped and with a look of sincerity, he asked me, “Dr. Lozano, how are you so happy all the time?” I love this kind of question because it is the essence of what makes me, well, me. I smiled and said, “I don’t want this to sound like a pat answer, but it’s because of the Lord who lives inside me who brings me the joy you see. I am so grateful everyday for his daily forgiveness and for my salvation that I ask him often to never let me forget it.” Nehemiah, had it correct when he stated, “the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). Politely, he took it all in as he stared at me and didn’t say a word. Our encounter that morning was short and sweet, but it was a powerful moment and one that will have a lasting effect on a young heart. The seed was planted and I pray for the many that shall continue to water it. Since then, I have had the privilege of sharing the Gospel with this student, praise God!

Listen, the Lord tells us to, “Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy mixed with fear…” (Jude 22-23). So what are we to be doing now that we are believers? Living to ourselves? Not at all! We have the highest mission and purpose here on earth and that is to carry out the mission of Jesus in saving souls. We even need to go as far as to “snatch” these lost souls out of the depths of their sin, as we show them mercy with fear. There is always a caution in the wind that as we rescue lost souls that we don’t get caught up in the very sin we are rescuing them from. “…You who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted” (Galatians 6:1). We are to, “…hate even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh” (Jude 23) These are pretty definitive statements! Yes, different levels of rescue and restoration, yet immense cautions are given to the believer.

Basically, we are to hate sin, hate the devil, and save souls out of darkness by bringing them into the marvelous light of Jesus Christ so they may sing the praises of Him who called them out of darkness (1 Peter 2:9). Did you realize that this very specific word used in Jude, “snatch,” is only used several times in the New Testament? It is the Greek word, “harpazo.” Not only are we to “snatch” souls out of the fire, but Jesus also tells us that, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:28). What security, what assurance, what confidence we can have when we belong to the King of Glory! My friends, never fear the enemy. He can’t touch you when you belong to God! The Apostle John reminds believers that as children of God, you have “overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). The presence and power of Jesus goes before you with mightiness and protection. Where there is light there cannot be darkness!

Over the years, I have come to understand what one of my professors at Bible College once told the class: that the greatest joy you can ever experience in this life, next to your own salvation, is the joy of sharing the gospel message and bringing a soul to Christ. I have found this to be astoundingly true over and over again as I am blessed to bring young lives to Christ. What joy there was the day the Gospel was shared with me.

May God richly bless your thoughts and opportunities so you may be ready to tell others about the joy of life living in you through Christ Jesus. There can be no higher praise that we can offer to Him.