golsen posted on September 30, 2011 14:21
Last week we started looking at the Fruit of the Spirit. Have you been thinking about the first facet of that Fruit? Have you loved someone this past week with a Spirit Filled agape way of loving? Have you desired for them their greatest good and followed through with a servant's attitude. I don't know about you, but I found it hard to do it "my own self" and found it easier to love in that way if I paused and asked the Lord to fill me with His Spirit (Eph 5:18).
Well, the second facet of the Fruit of the Spirit is "Joy." The word joy, as mentioned in Galatians 5:22, is the Greek word chara. It has the idea of rejoicing or delighting, primarily in the ways of God. It is an abiding joy that is present regardless of the circumstances. Let me ask you some questions that will be followed by verses of Scripture which you can look up to find the answers. What is the one reason why Christians often lack joy today (Jn 15:23-24)? What is the source of our joy as believers (Ro 15:13)? What is our responsibility to be joyful? Can experiences of sorrow prepare for and enlarge a person's capacity for joy (Jn 15:20; Ro 5:2,4; 2Co 7:4 & 8:2)? What is the object of our joy (Psa 35:9; Isa 61:10)? Why does God Tell us to be thankful in everything (1Th 5:18; Eph 5:20)?
If happiness is your goal, you will never achieve it; but joy is achievable regardless of life's circumstances (Jn 10:10). Get out a sheet of paper (or open a page in your word processor) and list at least four things you can do that will bring joy to your life. Remember that none of these nine facets of the Fruit of the Spirit can be generated in the flesh-you must be filled or controlled by the Holy Spirit to realize them (Eph 5:18-21). One of the best ways you can be Spirit controlled is by looking into the face of Jesus from the Word of God and Revelation chapters 4 & 5 can help you do that and we just happen to be in those Scriptures this Sunday in our worship services. See you there!