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Real Joy

 

One of the devotionals that I was reading this week expressed the meaning of the word “joy” in a way that I had never heard before. The writing was so powerful that it made me wish I had known to “say it this way” long ago when I preached this very subject.

Philippians 3:1 says, “Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord!” What most readers don’t understand about this statement is that the Writer (Paul) was currently in prison! Probably not the most pleasant of circumstances to think about rejoicing.

Paul transposes between “rejoice” and “joy” about sixteen times throughout this letter. He is stressing a very important concept for believers which is to live purposely in the joy of the Lord. Paul knew, first hand, that it was clearly possible regardless of any circumstance he found himself experiencing.

The “Seedbed Daily Text” devotional, written by J.D. Walt had this to say about joy:

 

“We learn something very important about joy here. Joy is not happiness. It’s not a feeling or an emotion. Joy is not positive thinking. Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Joy is supernatural. It is a wellness that transcends health, a state of being that eclipses emotion, and an inner realism that overwhelms apparent reality. 

 

Though it transcends the ephemeral notion of earthly emotion, we might think of joy as the primary emotion of the realm of eternal reality. Joy is that deep inner conviction that though things are not right, everything is going to be alright.

 

Joy is not an emotion because joy is not something that happens to us like a feeling. Joy is not happiness. Joy most typically originates from a place of suffering and sadness. Joy is an action. It’s why Paul rejoices. Joy is experienced by those who exercise their faith through rejoicing.”

 

What speaks to me is how wonderful this gift of “joy” truly is for all Christians. Yet, it saddens me to think that unbelievers will never experience such depth of heart without Jesus in their life. The best they will ever sense is the varying degrees of happiness…which depends on “what kind of day” they are having.

 

We face a lot of fears with the unknowns of the future. What will really become of those who take the COVID vaccine? Is this really “it”….the end of time? Our Government is out of control while hateful groups are allowed to rally, burn, pillage, protest, slander and fight against anything decent or holy. The world is becoming a rather frightening place. Fear is being exploited against us. They try to make things look hopeless.

 

Yet, we know better! Despite what tornadic event swirls around us, we can know that regardless of the velocity it hits us with, we are secure in Jesus Christ. He’s got it fully under control and us as well. Psalm 62:2, “He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken.”


Remember, joy is supernatural as it can only come through the indwelling Holy Spirit. Joy is the fruit of the Spirit which grows from our relationship with Jesus Christ. We cannot create joy on our own nor is it a “feeling” when things are great and wonderful around us.

 

Joy can only come from a surrendered life to Jesus. We must be born again and maintain that relationship with Christ. Only with Jesus can the Holy Spirit reside within us. A relationship with Jesus makes joy complete!

John 15:9-11, “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love.  When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!” Yes, Jesus is real joy!

 

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