Enjoying Jesus
July 2025
By: Jai Paul
I recently started reading the book “Habits of Grace” by David Mathis. In the foreword, a few statements by John Piper really got me thinking about what my life truly reveals as most valuable to me.
Piper writes, “Not only is enjoying Jesus explosively transforming in the way we live; it is also essential for making Jesus look great. ... It cannot be done by those who find this world more enjoyable than Jesus. They make the world look great. Therefore, the ultimate aim of the Christian life – and the universe – hangs on the people of God enjoying the Son of God.”
I don't know if you are feeling the weight of these words but it was heavy on my heart when I read them. The obvious question to me was – “What or who am I enjoying in my life to the extent that I make it or them look good to others?”
Let me use an analogy to explain.
In a season of our lives, my wife and I spent a lot of time watching a particular food vlogger on YouTube. He would travel to various parts of the world and eat the local food. He would also show how the food was made and then eventually sit down with the locals to eat it. As he sampled each dish, he expressed his delight – somewhat dramatically – and a sense of euphoria with every bite. Watching him, we couldn't help but crave the dish ourselves and feel a bit of envy. The way he enjoyed the food made us desire what he was having…
In the same manner, am I enjoying Jesus in a way that makes Him look good to others to the point that they also want to experience and enjoy Him?
I realized that my thoughts were not a mere emotional response to Piper’s statements but they were Biblically justified. The Bible has a lot to say about enjoying the Lord – about enjoying Jesus. Consider the following verses.
Take delight in the Lord – Psalm 37:4
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! – Philippians 4:4
Though the fig tree does not bud and there is no fruit on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though the flocks disappear from the pen and there are no herds in the stalls, yet I will celebrate in the Lord; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation! – Habakkuk 3:17-18
Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous ones; shout for joy, all you upright in heart. – Psalm 32:11
I rejoice greatly in the Lord, I exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation – Isaiah 61:10
And not only that, but we also boast (rejoice) in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received this reconciliation. – Romans 5:11
Why Enjoy God?
But why should we rejoice in the Lord? Why should we enjoy Jesus? Some of these verses give us the reason.
Common Grace – Providence
The Bible tells us that everything we have received is from God (1 Cor 4:7; John 3:27). This includes the life we have, our families, friends, food, shelter, clothing, jobs, cars,... everything! In His providence, God gives us the things we need and sometimes the things we want. While we recognize this fact, we cannot stop at enjoying the gifts. As we read from Habakkuk above, even if all our provisions are taken away, our delight must be in the Lord.
Special Grace – Salvation
Jesus became our passover lamb and He has reconciled us with the Father. The eternal Son of God humbled Himself and became a man to save us from not only the penalty of sin but also from the power of sin. We, who were dead in sin and worthy of God’s just wrath, are now adopted as God’s children because Jesus took our punishment upon Himself and gave us His righteousness. While we should rejoice in our salvation and enjoy our new status as God's children, we cannot stop there; rather we need to rejoice in and enjoy the giver, the Triune God – Father, Son, and Spirit.
Future Grace – Inheritance
Everyone who is justified by the Lord will also be glorified. We will be given an inheritance when Jesus returns (1 Pet 1:3-4). And what we will receive will be far far greater than the most awesomest thing in this world (1 Cor 2:9). But the greatest gift of all is that we will be with Jesus and enjoy Him forever.
Not the World
An essential aspect of enjoying God is that we are called not to rejoice in the things of this world. There are multiple passages that warn us to not love the world – 2 Cor 4:18, 1 Pet 1:24-25, Heb 13:14, 1 John 2:15-17. Everything in this world is perishing and temporary – here one day and gone tomorrow. And not only that, but the world will also distract us away from the Lord.
And if our enjoyment is in the things of this world, we will draw people to enjoy the same things as well, instead of giving glory to God (Matt 5:16).
How do we enjoy the Lord?
As we realize that we are to enjoy the Lord, the obvious question is how. And as it is often the case, the answer is not through extravagant schemes, but through the ordinary means that we already possess.
Immerse yourself in Jesus
We can only enjoy something or someone when we know them. Know Jesus more by reading His Word and seeing the wonders of His glory, His wisdom, His love, His purposes, His attributes, and so on. Experience Him through prayer and reliance on Him for every need. Read good books that expose Jesus and explain His works.
Immerse yourself in His people
One of the ways we enjoy Jesus is by seeing how He has worked and is continuing to act in the lives of other Christians. It will give us great joy in knowing that the Lord is still active in the lives of people. And as other Christians enjoy Jesus, we will also be motivated to enjoy Him more.
Make Jesus known to others
We enjoy the things we talk about and we talk about the things we enjoy. So, make it a point to talk to others about Jesus and the ways you are enjoying Him, the ways He is working in your life, the ways He is working in the lives of people you know, His person and character, His mercy and grace toward undeserving people.
Forgo the lust of the world
We are in the world, but we are not of the world (John 17:14-16). Likewise, we need the things of the world, but we do not rejoice in them. It is imperative that we not hold on to worldly things; instead, let Jesus captivate our hearts and our minds.
Take a Stand
Do you want to show the goodness of Jesus to the world? If you are a Christian, you don’t have another option. You can do that by enjoying Him, and as you enjoy Him, not only will others want to enjoy Jesus but you will be transformed into His likeness as well.
