Finding Deep Change Through Worship, Not Mere Willpower
What does it truly mean to rejoice in Christ? This question, echoing through centuries of Christian reflection, is both profound and practical. At first glance, “rejoicing” may seem synonymous with fleeting happiness or shallow celebration—a positive mood, a song, a smile. Yet the biblical vision reaches far deeper, inviting us into a dynamic of spiritual transformation that reshapes the very core of who we are.
The Heart’s Real Need: More Than Technique
Let’s be honest: if genuine change in our lives were just a matter of behavior—if all we needed was a set of biblical principles and a checklist to follow—then teaching, instruction, and counseling would be enough. We’d gather insights, apply techniques, and watch our lives improve. But experience tells a different story. The reality is that most of us don’t just need new information or even better behavior; we need our hearts to be melted and reshaped, not merely bent and coerced by fear and pride.
Here’s the crux: our main problem is not ignorance, nor even a lack of willpower. It’s that the love of Jesus Christ is not real to our hearts. We may affirm his grace and mercy with our minds, yet still live as though acceptance, security, and meaning must be earned by our own efforts. Worship—the heartfelt appreciation, rejoicing, and resting in what Jesus has done for us—is the only thing that can truly dethrone the idols that rule our hearts.
Repentance and Rejoicing: The Dynamic of Change
Transformation in Christ is not a mechanical process. The Bible presents growth and change as a dynamic of two interactive and inseparable processes: “put to death” (repentance) and “set your mind” (rejoicing). Colossians 3:1-9, Romans 8:6-13, and Hebrews 12:1-3 all reveal this interplay. Repentance leads us to admit the worst about ourselves, to recognize our need for grace. Rejoicing, on the other hand, is the act of treasuring Christ and resting in his love.
To separate these two is to risk spiritual malfunction. Repentance without rejoicing leads to despair, for if we only see our sin and lack the assurance of grace, we are crushed under guilt. Rejoicing without repentance is shallow, offering mere inspiration without genuine change. The gospel calls us to both: to look honestly at our hearts while also gazing upon the beauty and sufficiency of Christ.
What Does It Mean to Rejoice in Christ?
In Scripture, rejoicing is not just feeling happy. Paul commands, “Rejoice in the Lord always” (Philippians 4:4), yet the same apostle confesses to daily concern and anxiety for his churches (2 Corinthians 11:28-29). Jesus himself forbids his disciples to rejoice in their power over demons, urging them instead to rejoice in their salvation (Luke 10:20).
Biblical rejoicing is about what we treasure most—what we turn to for sweetness and consolation. To rejoice is to assess something’s value, to reflect deeply on its beauty and importance until the heart rests in it, tastes its sweetness, and is refreshed. What we rejoice in becomes our “central sweetness,” the thing we look to for comfort and hope when all else feels uncertain.
So, rejoicing is more than a feeling; it’s a process of contemplation and praise that sweetens and rests the heart, loosening its grip on everything else it thinks it needs. It is inseparable from repentance, for only as we rejoice in Christ’s grace do we have the courage to face our failures and disappointments. This rejoicing completes repentance—it ensures that our sorrow for sin is not driven by fear of rejection, but by gratitude for the love that meets us there.
Sinai or Calvary: The Motivation for Change
Every act of repentance is a journey, and there are two mountains on which it can occur—Sinai and Calvary. Sinai represents the law of God, and it motivates change through the painful fear of rejection and the threat of punishment. Calvary, however, represents both the law and God’s unwavering commitment to save us, even at the cost of his own Son.
To take our sins to Sinai is to use fear as the engine of change, trying desperately to avoid divine rejection. To take our sins to Calvary is to allow gratitude for Christ’s love to motivate us, knowing that our debt has been paid and our acceptance is secure. The difference is not only theological—it’s existential. Only rejoicing in Christ at Calvary can melt the heart and bring about deep, lasting change.
The Role of the Holy Spirit: Beyond Techniques
Now, a note of warning is necessary. Romans 8:13 exhorts us to destroy our self-salvation projects “by the Spirit.” Here, we move away from pure technique and into the realm of spiritual reality. We are not in control; we cannot wield the Holy Spirit like a tool or a pair of scissors. “Minding” the things of Christ is more than thinking about them—it is being wholly enthralled, captivated, and transformed by them.
Jesus says that when the Holy Spirit comes, he will “take what is mine and declare it to you” (John 16:14). The Spirit’s job is to make Christ’s teachings real to us, to smite us with his beauty so that what he says about us becomes truer and more meaningful than anything else. The only way to have self-control, to handle life’s troubles, is if the ministry of the Spirit makes Christ’s work so real that we weep for joy at its beauty. Only then are other things dethroned at the center of our being.
Practical Steps to Rejoicing in Christ
How do we move from theory to practice? How do we rejoice in Christ so deeply, so regularly, that it truly melts our hearts?
· Immerse Yourself in the Gospel: Make time daily to reflect on what Jesus has done for you. Read the accounts of his life, death, and resurrection. Let the truth of his love and sacrifice soak into your imagination.
· Engage in Worship: Worship is more than singing; it’s the intentional act of treasuring Christ, praising him for his beauty, and letting your heart rest in his promises. Find ways to worship through music, prayer, and silence.
· Practice Gospel Meditation: Take a passage of Scripture (Philippians 4:4-7, Romans 8:1-17, Hebrews 12:1-3) and meditate on it. Ask, “What does this reveal about Christ, and how can I rest in it today?”
· Repentance with Rejoicing: Don’t just confess your sins in fear—bring them to Calvary. Rejoice that Christ’s grace is greater than your guilt. Allow his love to motivate change, not just his law.
· Community Encouragement: Share your journey with others who can remind you of the gospel and help you set your mind on Christ when your own resolve falters.
The Sweetness of Christ: The End of Idolatry
The idolatries that grip our hearts—success, approval, power, comfort—cannot be defeated by mere discipline or technique. They are dethroned when something more beautiful and satisfying takes their place. Rejoicing in Christ means making him the deepest sweetness of your life, so that all other things pale in comparison. It is only as we gaze upon his beauty and rest in his love that we find the courage to admit our weaknesses, the power to change, and the freedom to live unburdened.
A Final Word: Rejoicing and Repentance Together
Let us not fall into the trap of separating repentance and rejoicing. Together, they form the heartbeat of true change—the courage to admit the worst, and the joy to receive the best. As we rejoice in Christ, may our hearts be melted, our idols dethroned, and our lives transformed by his beauty.
So, what is rejoicing in Christ? It is not mere happiness, but the profound treasuring and resting in his love that sweetens and strengthens the heart. It is the motivation for deep change, the engine of true worship, and the very lifeblood of the Christian journey.
May you taste and see that the Lord is good—and may rejoicing in Christ become your central sweetness, consolation, and joy, now and forever.
Minister A Francine Green
August 2025
afrancinegreen.com 