JOY

 JOY

Joy and happiness are often confused. Joy is a deep emotional experience that is the result of our spiritual salvation and the personal relationship that we have with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Happiness on the other hand is dependent upon our outward circumstances. In other words happiness can fluctuate but joy will always be joy. True Christian joy will reflect the transformation that is going on within us; the peace we gain as a result of our relationship with God through His Son. Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. When we demonstrate this gift it is evidence of our being transformed into the image of Jesus Christ. A believer rejoices because they have been filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy that is the result of their salvation (1 Peter 1:8-9).  

The word of God reveals several important truths to us related to joy:

1.      The joy a believer experiences is directly related to their spiritual salvation.  This means they have confessed their sins and have asked Jesus Christ to forgive them of their sins and come into their hearts and be their Lord and Savior.

2.      Joy is also connected to God’s Word. God’s word is truth. It will never change. It will always be truth. So, true joy does not change. It is not dependent on our feelings or circumstances, but is based on the solid foundation of what Jesus Christ has accomplished in our behalf. Just as His truth is eternal, His Word is eternal and unchanging. Our joy is based on His truths and His Word which means our joy is eternal. (John 1:1; Luke 21:33)

3.      Joy is the work of the Holy Spirit. As we submit our will in obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit we grow in the knowledge of God. The more obedient we are to the leading of the Holy Spirit the more we are being conformed to the likeness of Jesus Christ. His character becomes our character. The more Christ like we are, the more we will show forth the “fruit of the spirit” which is the character of Jesus Christ. Joy, and the ability to rejoice, does not come automatically. It is the result of a growing, knowing, personal relationship with our Lord and Savior. The more we mature, the more we become like Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit plants within us a deep sense of God’s presence and nearness in our lives. It is this presence, this nearness, which is the source of our joy. To have this unshakable joy in the midst of the trials, the difficulties of life, is directly connected to our willingness to submit our will to God’s will and to remain in God’s Word. (Psalm 16:11; Romans 15:13; Galatians 5:22; John 15:10-11)

4.      Joy comes from the intimacy of God’s nearness and abiding presence. That is why true joy cannot be destroyed by pain, suffering, evil or trying circumstances. As God’s abiding presence is eternal so is His abiding joy. (Acts 2:28:2 Corinthians 12:9)

5.      Having experienced the “joy of the Lord” becomes the greatest motivating factor in the life of a believer as they yield themselves to the work of the Holy Spirit in fulfilling God’s purpose and plan for their lives. (Ephesians 1:11)

While our joy is a direct result of our intimate relationship with Christ we also are able to find joy in the faithful witness of others. My faithfulness to Christ and your faithfulness to Christ have the power to enable others to rejoice. The apostle Paul discovered this blessed truth and wrote of this blessing to those who were members of the church at Thessalonica. What is our hope, what is joy, what is the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ when he appears? Is it not you? He concludes by saying you, implying your faithful witness; your faithful walk; your desire to finish well; these are a part of our glory and joy (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20).

I close with a simple question: today, will you be a source of joy in the life of a brother or sister because of the Christ in you?