JOY!

I want to take a little detour in this post. I have been posting my studies from Philippians Chapter 2 but I have been studying in Philippians Chapter 3 and in verse 1 Paul commands us to rejoice in the Lord. That got me to thinking about rejoicing and what that means. The Greek word means to be glad or full of cheer. The English word means to feel or show great joy. So, simply put, rejoicing is showing or feeling great joy. That got me to thinking about joy. What is it? Where does it come from? How do we get it? One Greek word for joy is used far more frequently than any of the other words used in the New Testament for the English word joy. Here are some observations about joy in the New Testament.

Joy exists in Heaven

Luk 15:7 KJV – I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth , more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Joy defines the Kingdom of God

Paul said in Rom 14:17 – For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Joy is part of the definition of the Kingdom of God. Notice that this joy is joy IN the Holy Ghost.

God want to fill us with joy

Rom 15:13 – Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing , that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Not only does it come from Him, He wants to give it to us… He wants to fill us with it.

It is His joy

Jhn 15:11 – “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and [that] your joy might be full .” There are some powerful truths in this verse. His joy can remain or abide in us. It can be the state of our life. But that is only true because of the Word, the things that He has spoken to us. One way to cultivate joy in our lives is to spend time in the Word, in the things that He has spoken untio us. And not only can we have joy, but we can have full joy, complete joy, joy that leaves room for nothing else.

Joy  is a fruit of the Spirit

Gal 5:22 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith…” In other words, it is a natural byproduct of being filled with the Holy Spirit and it is His fruit. It comes from Him. We get it from Him. Joy is a fruit OF THE Spirit.

Joy comes from being faithful

Mat 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, [thou] good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. One way to cultivate joy in our lives is to do whatever God has assigned us to do, and do it faithfully.

Joy comes from the Word

1Jo 1:4 – And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full . Full joy comes from the things written unto us. The more we learn of Him in His word, the more joy we will have at our disposal for rejoicing. The cultivate joy in our lives, spend time in the Word.

Joy comes from serving

1Th 2:19 For what [is] our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? [Are] not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? Another way to cultivate joy in our lives is to serve others. The Thessalonian believers were Paul’s joy. The fact that they were going to to be in the presence of the Lord at His coming was a source of joy, even a crown of rejoicing to him. Serving others is a way to cultivate joy in our lives.

Joy is a choice

Jam 1:2 – My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
We are commanded here to consider it a joy when something seemingly negative happens. That is an act of the will, not emotions or feelings. Be joyful when something bad happens.