rumitoid wrote:
Your free will, inspired by spirit and grace, without which you would remain an enemy of Christ, has two options: surrender to him or not. That's it. By faith we entrust all that we think, say, and do to his guidance.
We are to sing and dance in his glory. Or be a wallflower, if it suits you. Without joy, we diminish that glory.
If my free will is inspired only by Spirit (I hope you mean the Holy Spirit) and grace then why do I sin? He is not responsible for any thoughts, words and deeds contrary to His will. It's my fault, my own most grievous fault. My free will and grace leads me every day to confess my sins. Now I understand where all that time goes! 😮
Indeed, Our heavenly Father is not indifferent to our happiness. Joy is not a garnish on the dutiful entrée of the Christian life. Joy is not the icing on our cake, but rather an essential ingredient in a complex batter. Joy can be expressed both internal and external and many early Christians went to their executions, their martyrdom, joyfully.
I'm confident you did not intend to say that without joy we diminish God's glory.