In Christ Jesus, things that lead to joy and gladness can be found. According to the Scripture, we are promised everlasting joy. The joy that is everlasting and glorious. This joy is from the Lord. It is not of ourselves, though we rejoice.
Everlasting joy is given to us as a crown upon our heads: those whom the Lord has rescued or redeemed; they will return and enter Zion (the holy hill of the Lord) with singing: gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
The Scripture writing in Isaiah says: those the LORD has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. We therefore see that the Lord gives joy everlasting, after that we are redeemed by him: and in him through his blood we have redemption and the forgiveness of sins.
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace, Eph 1:7
What is remarkable here is the distinction between that which the Lord gives (joy everlasting) and that which we are commanded to do (to always rejoice). The Lord gives the everlasting joy; but the Scripture writing in the Epistle, says: rejoice always, 1 Thess 5:16. The first is inputted by reason of the redemption work of God. The second is a commandment that is given to us to do. While we seek the redemption work, we also do the works having faith in God; for by works are we not only justified but also by faith.
And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone, Jam 2:23-24
Wherefore, let us seek the Lord while he may be found and call upon him while he is still near and do the good works, having faith in God; for without faith it is impossible to please God, according to the Gospel.