by Linzy Slayden
Happiness comes from an old English word happ which literally means “chance.” It corresponds with the Latin word fortuna which means “luck.” If things happen the way we want them to happen, then we are happy. But if they don’t happen the way we want them to happen, we are unhappy. But there is a delight, a gladness of heart that goes above and beyond happiness. It is called joy. There is a tremendous difference between joy and happiness. Happiness is external. Joy is internal. Happiness depends on outward circumstances. Joy depends on inward character. Happiness is based on chance. Joy is based on choice.
One of the most attractive qualities both a Christian and a church can have, is joy. And I might also say it is an attractive quality in a Fellowship. Unfortunately, the world has caricatured Christians as being purveyors of doom and gloom, prophets of sadness and sorrow who condemn any fun as sin. In fact, someone once gave this definition of a Puritan: “A person who suffers from the overwhelming dread that somewhere, sometime, somehow, someone may be enjoying himself.” On the flip side, C. S. Lewis once said, “Joy is the serious business of heaven.”
First Peter 1 tells us that the Christian can have joy in salvation, sanctification, service, suffering, and surrender. Also, we want our churches to be a “fellowship of joy” so people can find true joy when they come to worship. Now, when it comes to the BBFI, we understand that our joy comes from preaching the gospel, winning souls to Christ, growing Christians, starting local New Testament Baptist churches, and sending missionaries to do the same thing. I don’t know about you, but that excites me!
The BBFI came into existence 60 years ago with these primary goals. Noel Smith expressed the mission emphasis of the BBFI in the first issue of the Baptist Bible Tribune, June 23, 1950. He wrote, “We believe that the fundamental basis of the apostolic churches was not educational but missionary.” He was right both historically and prophetically. Historically, the churches of the New Testament connected due to evangelism. Prophetically, the BBFI stays together due to our purpose, which is missions. Not all pastors support the same Bible colleges, but all BBFI pastors are involved in the missions endeavor. It is worth our time, efforts, prayer, and financial support.
This is where we find joy. Impacting our world with the soulsaving, life-saving gospel of Jesus Christ. We have focused on New Testament missions and avoided the trends of new-evangelicalism toward social work. When we get involved in humanitarian causes there is always a connection to a local church. This conviction is relevant in every culture and every generation. This philosophy has brought us God’s blessings and increased our joy. Let’s gather in Boston in September and enjoy the fellowship of joy once again.