Joy in Heaven by John Nevins Andrews

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Sep 23, 1875

Joy in Heaven.

By John Nevins Andrews

“LIKEWISE, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” Luke 15 : 10.

The angels of God do not view repentance in the same light that it appears to sinful men. To them it is an elevated, honorable, and sacred work. To us, alas ! it is a work to be shunned, if possible, or if not wholly shunned, to be disposed of in as private a manner as we can. We think of it with shame ; we speak of it with pain and regret. It is so humiliating to have it known that we have had to break our hearts, to bow our stubborn wills, to humble our proud natures under the mighty hand of God. We are not so much ashamed of sin, as of repentance. Nay, we are frequently far from being ashamed of sinful conduct or of wicked dispositions. But to have it known that we have made frank and humble confession of wicked acts, is too humiliating for us to endure. We are not ashamed of sin, but ashamed of having it known that we confess and repent of our sin. Yet sin is that abominable thing which God hates, and genuine repentance is that which he approves and accepts. Sin is the fruit of our own evil nature, aided by the powerful co-operation of the Devil. Repentance is the work of the Spirit of God wrought in us by our consent, and with our active co-operation. How strange that we should be ashamed of repentance, rather than ashamed of sin ; that we should cherish that which comes from Satan, and loathe that which proceeds directly from the Spirit of God. Sin is the only real cause for shame, and it is cause enough surely. But repentance is something noble, dignified and honorable. It shows that though we have been wicked, now that we have come to ourselves we put away the wickedness, and allow not one particle of it to cleave longer to us. How the Devil perverts things in our minds when he makes us ashamed of this most sacred work.

What a wonderful fact our Lord has revealed to us in stating that there is joy in heaven among the angels of God when a single sinner repents. Great as is the joy of the angels in their own exalted bliss, they are capable of feeling an addition to this joy when one poor prodigal returns to God. How intense the interest they feel for us ! How disinterested and unselfish is their conduct. If that which benefits us alone can give such joy in heaven, shall we not make it the most earnest business of life to develop perfect repentance ?

It is worthy of notice that our Lord does not speak of the joy of our departed friends, but the joy of the angels at our repentance. Yet if they were in heaven, how much keener their joy than that of the angels !

J. N. A.