The Joy of Heaven

“‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance” (Lk 15:6-7). Some of my happiest recollections as a young believer are the times when we waited as souls were wrestling through to glory. When at last the new believer with the soul-winner (see Prov 11:30) would come out to greet us, someone would burst into song and we would all join in: “O happy day that fixed my choice, On Thee, my Savior and my God! Well may this glowing heart rejoice, And tell its raptures all abroad.” In Luke 15, the Lord Jesus was calling the dour Pharisees and scribes to understand, and then enter into, the joy of heaven in finding that which was lost. Charles Spurgeon tells of a Mr. Knill who, speaking of his own conversion, said, “It was a quarter past twelve, August 2nd, when twang went every harp in Paradise, for a sinner had repented.”

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