Joshua 1:15
“Until the LORD have given your brethren rest, as he hath given you, and they also have possessed the land which the LORD your God giveth them: then ye shall return unto the land of your possession, and enjoy it, which Moses the LORD’S servant gave you on this side Jordan toward the sunrising.”
The Christian life is to be enjoyed. God doesn’t want the Christian to go through life begrudgingly because they serve Him. Though life may deal the Christian some unpleasantries, you can still enjoy serving the LORD. There should be enjoyment with your family as you serve the LORD. There should be enjoyment as you serve the LORD in your ministry. But, enjoying life doesn’t mean that you can do whatever you want to do.
God told Israel before they went in to possess the Promised Land to “enjoy it.” What you must not miss is what is said before He tells them to enjoy it. God wanted Israel to enjoy His perfect will for them in the Promised Land. He wanted some great memories to be established with their families while they lived in the Promised Land. But, it didn’t mean they could live however they wanted to live. There are several things that enjoying the Christian life doesn’t mean.
First, it doesn’t mean you can live any way you want. God still held them accountable to the Word of God. Yes, enjoy life, but “Remember the word which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you…” (Joshua 1:13) Remember that God’s Word is still the guidelines and boundaries to your enjoyment. You can do anything you want as long as it is found not to go against God’s Word.
Second, enjoying life doesn’t mean you can shirk your spiritual responsibilities. The two and a half tribes still had to fulfill their responsibility to go conquer the Promised Land. Too many Christians have shirked their spiritual responsibilities for the sake of enjoying life. If enjoying life means you must quit your ministry responsibilities then you are not to do it. If enjoying life means you must shirk your responsibility of being a godly parent or spouse then that is not enjoy life but disobeying God’s Word. You can enjoy life as long as enjoyment is found within the boundaries of God’s Word and personal responsibilities.
Third, enjoying life doesn’t mean you won’t fight battles. It is interesting that God told Israel to enjoy the Promised Land before they even conquered it. Why? Because He wanted to set a principle that you must still fight battles. Many Christians have stopped fighting for the sake of enjoying life, and that is wrong. You still must fight for truth. Moreover, God also wanted to set a principle that you can enjoy life in the midst of battles. Just because you are fighting battles doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy life. Even in the midst of battles, you will find enjoyment in life by living within the boundaries of God’s Word and personal responsibilities.
Friend, serving God doesn’t mean life must be gloomy, blah and boring. I truly enjoy life, but that enjoyment is found within the boundaries of the Scriptures and personal responsibilities. Yes, battles have been fought, but that doesn’t take the enjoyment away. You also can enjoy life, but always remember that enjoyment also has its boundaries, and when you cross those boundaries enjoyment will turn into heartache.