D - FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT - 4

D – FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT – 4

Love brings joy which is a deep gladness of the heart.  When we truly have love in our heart for God and others and have erased any ill-feelings we might have had, then true joy will bring greater fulfillment to our lives.  Christian joy is deeper than the world’s happiness.  Yes, we can be happy but true joy can come even in trouble, pain, and sadness.  As we look into the Scripture, we can see why this would be.

God has given us so much as we accepted His salvation.  Ps.51:12   Thankfulness for all these things brings us joy.  Discouragement does not bring strength but joy does.  Neh.8:10   As we read of the joy that David put in many of his psalms, our hearts should also reflect joy in our lives whatever the circumstance we may experience.  Ps.5:11; Ps.16:11; Ps.32:11  

Joy is a fruit of the Spirit that is a result of our life in Christ but it is active as we rejoice.  We are told to rejoice, not just when all is going well but always.  1 Thess.5:16   It is easy to rejoice in good times; however, James reminds us to rejoice even in trials.  Jam.1:2   Why?  Because we grow in our endurance for maybe more difficult times in the future.  Jam.1:3

Jesus was an example of joy in trials—severe trials.  Heb.12:2   No matter what happens in this life, we have an eternal future with our Lord to which we can look forward.  Jesus wanted us to experience the joy He had.  Jhn.15:10,11  

Our joy in the Lord is so great that words cannot express it.  1 Pet.1:8   The world rejoices in new “stuff”, higher position, popularity.  That gets old and the joy must be replaced with something else.  A Christian rejoices in the Lord.  Phil.3:1   Things of the world are minor compared to the glories of heaven.  This is where our hope is for which we rejoice.  Rom.12:12   This is a kind of joy that does not have to be replaced and no one can take it away.  Jhn.16:22   This joy is everlasting as sorrow is removed.  Isa.51:11   Even in time of great grief, the sorrow will be taken away and joy will come.  Ps.30:5

We can find joy if we earnestly strive to live within God’s will.  Ps.1:1,2   Joy is given to the man that is good in God’s sight.  Eccl.2:26   We do not live for things of this world but for righteousness that brings peace and in turn brings joy.  Rom.14:17  

So much encouragement and joy was felt by Paul as those he taught stood firm in the faith.  1 Thess.3:9   Paul considered the Philippians his joy and crown.  Phil.4:1   We not only bring joy to our Lord and even the angels, but to those who have labored for our salvation.  Lk.15:10; 1 Thess.2:19,20

We can allow our joy to be sabotaged. This can happen in many ways.  Perhaps we are reprimanded when we thought we were doing well.  Someone might talk against us.  We become discouraged and then allow ourselves to become angry or resentful.  This depletes our joy if our joy comes from our feelings rather than our hope in the Lord.  We may become discouraged with others and maybe even ourselves.

Paul was disappointed in himself at times.  Rom.7:15   Paul continues to discuss this weakness and conflict between the flesh and the spirit.  His decision is in Rom.8:37.  If we are following Christ, we need not become discouraged and let our joy in the Lord be sabotaged.

So many were persecuted and yet had joy.  2 Cor.7:4   Jesus has already been mentioned as the ultimate example of this.  Paul suffered many persecutions.  In fact they are listed in the eleventh chapter of 2 Corinthians and yet Paul had joy.  Acts 20:24   The Corinthians had suffered affliction and yet had joy to give to the saints in Jerusalem in spite of their own need.  2 Cor.8:2  

Thanksgiving is connected to joy.  It would be difficult to have one without the other.  Col.1:11,12   Paul received persecution as well as the Thessalonians as they were taught and received the Word yet they gave.  1 Thess.1:6   Even if our property is seized as it is today in some countries, we have better possessions in eternity.  Heb.10:34   If we have persecution, affliction, problems, we can rejoice with Christ when He comes to receive us.  1 Pet.4:13

As we work together for the Lord, we rejoice together.  Jhn.4:36   Whether in tribulation or in good times, we are one in the Lord.  Rom.12:15   This oneness make joy complete.  Phil.2:2

Let us always rejoice.  Phil.4:4   Christ can keep us from stumbling and present us faultless as we remain faithful in Him.  This will give Him great joy.  Jude 24   May we remember our strength is in the joy of the Lord.  Neh.8:10