Dr. Dan Hayden •
When you see the word pure on a label it evokes thoughts of quality on the product. Pure maple syrup, pure chocolate… Well today, we’re going to talk about “pure joy.”
We’re considering the subject of joy today, and we’re looking at that great text in James 1:2 which says, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials…” “Consider it all joy.” “All” – that’s our word for today.
So – what is “all joy”? Ron Blue in the Bible Knowledge Commentary says it is “pure joy” – joy that is full or unmixed. Not – “some joy” mixed with a little grief or disappointment. But – joy that is uncontaminated. “All joy” is “pure joy.”
The word for “all” here – is a Greek word that means “all” in the sense of “the whole thing.” It can also refer to each and every part of something.
“All” means that each and every aspect of your response to whatever is going on in the trial is encompassed by the joy of the Lord. The rest of this verse in James 1:2 tells us that “joy” is the confidence that God is in control of what is happening and that somehow He is going to take everything and work it for your ultimate good. So, “joy” is putting everything into the perspective of God’s faithfulness and goodness, and when you put everything into that perspective you have “all joy.” And “all joy” is “pure joy.”
Say, why settle for pure chocolate when you can have “pure joy?”