1) What is Joy?
I am finding that Biblical joy is not a feeling. It is not a fleeting emotion. It is not a mood. It is not “happiness” or “pleasure.” It cannot be created by positive efforts. It cannot be taken away by a person or circumstance.
Biblical joy is the glorious condition of the heart that occurs when delight and hope intertwine as a result of knowing the Lord, Jesus Christ.
2) What Does God Say About Joy?
The Greek word for joy is “chara,” a word related to both “grace,” and “gratitude.” It is interpreted as the expression of thankfulness toward God for being forgiven, accepted, and saved.
The Bible has a much to say about joy…
-Those who know Christ are filled with an inexpressible joy– 1 Peter 1:8-9
-God can increase our joy– Isaiah 9:3
-Joy is the prospect of the righteous– Proverbs 10:28
-Joy comes from trusting in God– Romans 15:13
-The joy of the Lord is our strength– Nehemiah 8:10
-Love gives us joy– Phil 1:7
-No one will take away our joy– John 16:22
-Jesus endured the cross because of joy– Hebrews 12:12
-In God’s presence there is fullness of joy– Psalm 16:11
-We are told to consider even our trials joy– James 1:2-3
3) What Does This Mean for Believers?
In this world, there is a fragile and inferior counterfeit to joy known as “happiness” that is merely subject to our own fleeting circumstances. Joy is bigger than that! The grace-given gift of joy that The Father offers to His children is absolutely unshakable!
Joy is the consequential fruit of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling. Like love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, joy is most evident in our lives when we are living Spirit first. If we are living in sin, we are not living Spirit first.
Sin separates us from God and can temporarily rob us of the joy that He offers through a right relationship with Him.
Your own sin is the only killjoy you will ever encounter.
So, how can we ensure that sin does not rob us of our joy?
by abiding in (surrendering to, remaining in, depending on) Him
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 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, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
John 15:6-11
Abide in Him.
Read more from my 3 Things series:
