Joy is a supernatural gift of God.
It is a supernatural emotion not dependent upon circumstances that are favorable but internal confidence, assurance that God is in control and works all things concerning me out for my good- eternally, that what He purposes for my life will come to pass ultimately. While happiness is hit and miss, depending on what EXTERNAL good things, and pleasurable things come into my life, joy is INTERNAL MAINTAINED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT and is steadfast when we live in submission to the Spirit of God who cultivates it, and we comply with God’s Word. Joy is internal confidence, assurance that delights the heart irrespective of external happenings as we consider God is in control of my life and all things, He is present with me and for me. He is out to conform me to the image of His dear Son. Keeping our focus on Him and eternal matters and pursuing them.
We often lose our joy through unrepented of sin in our lives or when we become more CIRCUMSTANCE Focussed than CHRIST FOCUSSED. and Seeking the Kingdom of God and His righteousness as Priority in our daily living. We misplace Him and we lose our joy as we lose our focus! We have abandoned the relationship by Replacing Him with lesser pursuits!!
Happiness has to do with extenals that we often cannot be assured of. Joy has to do with Internal.
Joy is Based on the Relationship with the LORD and He is the sphere of this Joy.
THE FOUNDATION OF JOY
JOY is…The gift of God-{Romans 5:5; Acts 10:45;} to those who receive and belive the Gospel,-{Luke 2:10} produced by the Holy Spirit -{Gal 5:22};as we comply with the Word of God-{Jeremiah 15:16}; and is often accompanied with trials and sufferings,- {1 Peter 4:13} and joy in future hope.-{Romans 12:12}
Consider this…
“5463 xaírō (from the root xar-, “favorably disposed, leaning towards” and cognate with 5485 /xáris, “grace”) – properly, to delight in God’s grace (“rejoice”) – literally, to experience God’s grace (favor), be conscious (glad) for His grace.
5463 /xaírō (“glad for grace“) has a direct “etymological connection with xaris (grace)” (DNTT, 2, 356). S. Zodhiates (Dict, 1467) likewise comments that 5479 /xará (“joy”) and 5485 /xáris (“grace”) are cognate with 5463 /xaírō (“to rejoice”), i.e. all share the same root and therefore the same core (fundamental) meaning.”-{Help Word studied- Greek Lexicon for Philippians 3:1}.
“Joy…Rejoice…grace” all are related, they come from the same ROOT Word! They are relatives.
Joy is to Deligtht in God’s Grace- The conscious Favor of God! Gladness of heart!
THE FRUIT OF JOY
- JOY IS RELATIONAL-“FOR THE rest, my brethren, delight yourselves in the Lord and continue to rejoice that you are in Him.”-{Philippians 3:1 Amplified Bible.}
- JOY IS PERMANENT- “have told you these things so that My joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy may be made full and complete and overflowing” –{John 15:11-Amplied Bible}
- JOY IS STRENGTHENING– “ Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.-{refuge, stronghold}” – { Nehemiah 8:10}
- JOY BECAUSE OF INSIGHT/ Understanding– “Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace].“ -{ James 1:2-3 Amplified bible}. The word “Consider” is sometimes translated “count” and speaks of examing, scrutinizing…
- JOY IS PRODUCED BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD- Who is only Given to followers of Christ- Rom 8: ; – “ But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness “-Gal 5:22
- JOY DELIGHTS IN THE EXALTATION OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST PROCLAIMED ABOVE PERSONAL ATTACK- “ but the former preach Christ [insincerely] out of selfish ambition [just self-promotion], thinking that they are causing me distress in my imprisonment. What then [does it matter]? So long as in every way, whether in pretense [for self-promotion] or in all honesty [to spread the truth], Christ is being preached; and in this I rejoice.“ -{ Phil 1:17-18 Amplief Bible}.
- JOY IN THE WORD OF GOD –” –“ The precepts of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eye.”-{Psalm 19:8}
- JOY IN SERVICE- WORSHIP – “Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness and delight;
Come before His presence with joyful singing.”-{Psalm 100:1-2}
- JOY PRODUCED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT- “But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy,…“-{Galatians 5:22}
Paul Commands the Christian to Rejoice and Continue to Rejoice in the Lord! And only the Follower of Christ can
The nonbeliever may speak of positive thinking and the problem they have no firm eternal foundation to do so as they have no spiritual power as they are without the Spirit of Joy- The Holy Spirit to enlighten and empower them for reasons to do so! As His follower, and in right relationship with God THROUGH our LORD Jesus -{Romans 5:1-2}, you have REASONS and POWER to DELIGHT in the Gracious favor of God to you found exclusively in your relationship “IN The LORD” WHICH IS THE SPHERE of JOY. And you have the Spirit of God gifting you the POWER to DELIGHT IN THE GRACIOUS ETERNAL FAVOR THAT HAS BEEN GIFTED TO YOU “IN THE LORD!”
ASSIGNMENT;
Go back and read the Scriptures that are referenced under ” JOY’S FOUNDATION” and then read the verses under “THE FRUIT OF JOY” and pick a verse or two to meditate upon, praise Him for, and begin to use them as a springboard for you to choose to REJOICE, DELIGHT in the Conscious Grace of the Favor of God for you! And look to encourage OTHER believers with these truths.
TRUTHS ARE NEVER JUST FOR US BUT THAT OTHERS MIGHT BENEFIT AND DELIGHT AND JOY IN THE LORD!
“Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again – Rejoice!”-{Philippians 4:4}
God bless,
Aidan.