Joy!

Today’s Through the Bible Reading: Acts 8:1 - 9:31

There was great joy in that city. Acts 8:8

Absence of sin brings JOY! In today’s reading we see people who were sick and held captive to sin being healed and freed. “For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city.” Acts 8:7, 8

I love that last phrase! "And there was great joy in that city." Being cleansed, freed from bondage, the process of sanctification, brings joy! Why? Because sanctification is the process of becoming more like Jesus. Sin has pleasure for a moment, but always leads to heartache, sorrow and death. (Prov. 16:25; Rom. 6:23)

Like the Samaritans in today’s reading, sin had left it’s crippling effect, but the message of Jesus brought restoration and GREAT JOY.  As we set ourselves apart and allow the Lord to sanctify us – we will see Him move and deliver us from the bondage of sin. And like the city in today’s reading, it will be said of us “there was great joy.” (Acts 8: 8)

by Sharon Kaselonis / All rights reserved ©