A Wonderful Life Series, Selected Passages
Biblical joy does not depend on past good memories, or cheerful things, though these things may fuel joy. Biblical joy is more than the happiness we get from good experiences. Joy focuses on the nature of God, on what God promised to do, and what God has done for us. Joy is God-centered.
Psalm 47:1 tells us, “Clap your hands, all you nations;shout to God with cries of joy. 2 For the Lord Most High is awesome, the great King over all the earth. 3 He subdued nations under us, peoples under our feet.” NIV.
Proverbs 10:28-29, 28 The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing. 29 The way of the Lord is a refuge for the blameless,but it is the ruin of those who do evil.” NIV.
Romans 15:13, “13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” NIV.
How can this joy be ours? It begins with Jesus. “11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” John 15:11, NKJV. Accepting Jesus’ teachings, and believing in who He is, brings many spiritual gifts to us, including the Holy Spirit.
1. The Holy Spirit produces joy in us.
“22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.23gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23, NKJV.
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV.
· The Spirit produces His practical outworking in us.
· The “fruit of the Spirit” enables us to live a new way of life.
· Joy is an attitude of the heart that marks kingdom living. See Matthew 5.
2. Walking with the Spirit brings joy.
“25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Galatians 5: 25, NKJV.
“16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NIV.
· Responding in joy must be the norm for all believers.
· Trusting the Lord’s ways will bring joy.
“Blessed are the undefiled in the way, Who walk in the law of the Lord! 2 Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, Who seek Him with the whole heart! 3 They also do no iniquity; They walk in His ways.” Psalm 119:1-3, NKJV.
· Obedience to God makes the heart glad.
· Obedience free us from guilt.
3. God can turn challenging trials into joy.
“26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.” Galatians 5:26, NKJV.
· This is an example of walking in the flesh (selfish desires), rather than walking in the Spirit.
· Being too pre-occupied with the self, will eventually rob us of joy, as people wouldn’t like to see us around.
Why does the Bible want us to be joyful always? It’s because joy in the Lord will help us navigate through difficult situations and eventually, make us more and more like Jesus.
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