Joyful Christian Life Bible Studies on melanienewton.com

The world defines joy as happiness from good happenings, like success, good health, and good fortune. But, if circumstances aren’t so good, it’s very hard to have a joyful walk if that’s your definition of joy. But, for believers in Jesus Christ, we have access to a different kind of joy—biblical joy. Biblical joy is a deep, inner gladness, regardless of circumstances, regardless of people or things. It doesn’t find its source in anything earthly. Biblical joy is supernatural. It is inseparable from the character of God and comes only from a relationship with Him and is available to every believer.

Christianity is Christ. It’s not a lifestyle, not rules of conduct, nor is it a society whose members are initiated by the sprinkling or covering of water. It is all about a relationship with Jesus Christ who presented Himself as the answer to every need of the human heart. When you trust in Christ for your salvation, God’s grace is abundantly poured on you. Understanding God’s grace to you and for you leads to living in that grace, something I call “graceful living.” The Christian life is all about Christ in you and you in Christ. Through that bond with Jesus Christ, you receive so many blessings and benefits that enable you to experience a life of freedom and joy.

In the Bible, the word “grace” means “undeserved favor or gift.” Biblical grace is God giving favor to someone, not because they are good enough to deserve it but because His love chooses to do so. God’s grace springs from God’s love. The Bible says that God’s grace is so abundant it’s like a cup overflowing. God’s invitation to you and your acceptance of it is wrapped up in one phrase-by grace you are saved through faith. Your salvation is an undeserved gift from God. You cannot earn it. You cannot win it. You only receive it by faith.

Living by law (legalism) is trying to approach God on the basis of your own merits or performance. If you are trying to live by law, you will actually be drifting your focus away from the Person of Jesus Christ. You are straying from enjoying a relationship to practicing a religion. Living by grace is having a relationship with God on the basis of His grace alone. You rest in Christ’s finished work on the cross to completely save you and give you freedom from sin. You live in the power of Christ’s life in you through the Holy Spirit. Grace motivates you to obey God because of love and gratitude for what Christ has done rather than fear of not measuring up to His standards.

Any thoughts you have about God or information you receive about God is theology. We live according to our theology. Our theology can be based on truth or error. Truth and error lead to dramatically different results. Jesus told those who believed in him, “…If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32). If truth sets you free, then the opposite is also true: it is error that binds you. Knowing the truth about Jesus Christ and living it out in your life is the heart of Graceful Living-the kind of Christian life that will give you freedom and joy. This Graceful Living Bible Study will help you build a foundation for successful, enjoyable Christian living based on God’s grace to you and for you. You will learn the difference between living by grace and living by law (rules and works). Understanding God’s grace given to you is essential to enjoying the life that God has planned for you. That’s the promise of “Graceful Living.”

Knowing Jesus…Knowing Joy! is a study of Philippians-Paul’s letter full of joy in the Lord. Graceful Living Bible Study leads you to experience a life of freedom and joy as does the related devotional Graceful Living Today.