Read Part 1, Part 2 (Abide in the Vine), Part3 (Love)
Once again here are the fruits of the Spirit as defined in Galatians 5.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23) {emphasis mine}
Joy in Hardship
When I started researching joy in the Bible, one thing really stuck out. Most mentions of joy are mentioned with hardship, fear, worry, persecution, and/or some other negative situation.
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, (James 1:2)
fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)
In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, (1 Peter 1:6)
rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, (Romans 12:12)
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; (Luke 2:10)
Whether it is Jesus suffering unfairly on the Cross or it is Christians suffering persecution for their faith, a right relationship with God leads to joy. Yes, joy is a gift from God, but I think it is also a sign of a right understanding of God. If we think all of the evil and hardship in the world is due either to chance or to evil “winning,” then we will worry and fret and not have joy. If we rightly know that God is in control and that “… God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28b), then we can have joy in all situations because we accurately know that everything will work out for good in the end.
Joy vs Happiness
Many people think of happiness and joy as synonyms, but there is a huge difference between the two. Happiness is an emotion that comes about in response to good/fun/desired things happening. Joy is an emotion felt despite circumstances. It isn’t temporary. It doesn’t come and go. It isn’t dependent on circumstances. It is dependent on a relationship. It is dependent on a person, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Joy is so much better than happiness. We don’t have to chase after it to catch it. We aren’t led astray by our desire for joy like we are when we are seeking happiness. It is given to us as a free gift from God to His spiritual children.
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2-4)
Joy is so wonderful that we can rejoice in “various trials,” knowing that they are for our good and other’s good. We can have joy in “various trials,” knowing that they will make us “perfect and complete.” How joyful is that?
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2) {emphasis mine}
This verse seems like an oxymoron: “ for the joy set before Him endured the cross.” At first glance it looks like Jesus has joy in the cross, but in reality, He has joy in the result of the cross. When we know that God is in control and causes “all things to work together for good,” we can know that the end result of every difficult, unpleasant, or bad thing will be God’s good, at least for “those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” We can have joy in ALL circumstances. Also notice that Hebrews says, “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith.” This is important when it comes to joy. Just like Peter, when he was walking on the water to meet Jesus, started to sink when he took his eyes off Jesus and instead focused on the storm, we too can lose our joy when we take our eyes off Jesus and instead focused on the storm. After trusting in Jesus, the next key to joy is “fixing our eyes on Jesus.”
Joy of Obedience
If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. (John 15:10-11)
If you use 1 John 2:3, “By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments,” with John 15:10-11 (above), it becomes clear that all believers will have joy “and that your joy may be made full.” We won’t just have a little joy. Our joy will “be made full.” Keeping God’s commandments is another thing that leads to great joy. God’s commands aren’t joy killers; they are joy builders. He commands us what to do and not do because He wants our best, just like a parent tells their kids to eat healthy and to not run out in the street. The parent isn’t trying to ruin the kid’s fun. The parent is trying to protect them from harm and to help them to grow and stay healthy. God wants us to grow in Him so our “joy may be made full.”
Joy Inexpressible
I especially love this passage on joy and rejoicing:
In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:6-9) {emphasis mine}
In this verse joy, trials, and faith are very closely linked. We have “joy” in “various trials” as “proof of your faith.” When we are “tested by fire” it leads to “praise and glory and honor … of Jesus Christ.” Best of all, if we “believe in Him, [we] greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible.” Imagine that! We can have a “joy inexpressible!” We don’t have to have a life of worry. We don’t have to have a life without meaning. We don’t have to have a life of despair. If we believe in Him we can have “joy inexpressible!” What more could anyone ask for?
You will make known to me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. (Psalm 16:11)
Read Part 5 (Peace)
Trust Jesus.
your sister in Christ,
Christy
FYI, my following posts will continue going through each of the individual fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5
Bible verses are NASB (New American Standard Bible) 1995 edition unless otherwise stated
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