There is Joy in the Journey

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

In our series of studies on the different aspects of the fruit of the Spirit, this week we look at JOY. It is the second of the nine fruits of the spirit, and comes right after [godly] love. If we have God's Spirit and His love poured into our hearts through His Spirit, and we know that He loves us and that we love Him; the second by-product of the Holy Spirit will be joy. Many Scriptures in the Bible teach us that yielding to God's purpose for our lives and being converted is the key to biblical joy, one of the nine components of the fruit of God's Spirit.

King David talks about having joy if we seek God and live in His presence:

Psalm 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

David is saying that God will show him the path to "life," and when we come into His presence, there is joy, real joy. And if we are among His faithful followers, God will show us the way to eternal life in His Kingdom. We will have an abundance of joy with godly pleasures that will endure forever.

In the book of John, Jesus tells us that He came that we may have life and that we would have it more abundantly.

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

The word for abundant in this verse is: perissos  (Strong's #4053) and means: excessive, more abundant From peri (in the sense of beyond); superabundant (in quantity) or superior (in quality); by implication, excessive; adverbially (with ek, #1537 [out to and from]) violently; neuter (as noun) preeminence -- exceeding abundantly above, more abundantly, advantage, exceedingly, very highly, beyond measure, more, superfluous, vehement(-ly).

Chasing After Joy

Almost everyone wants to live abundantly with overflowing joy, pleasure and happiness. It seems that most people, for most of their lives, seek vehemently after happiness, comforts, pleasures, joy. The pursuit of happiness is an innate drive found in the very nature of men and women that begins right at birth. Every person wants to have joy and to be happy in varying ways and degrees.

We are born with an intense desire for joy, but in our carnal state we seek our joy in the things of the world. Ultimately, we find that the thing that we sought to bring us joy is short-lived, does not really bring satisfaction, and often times can even bring destruction and ruin to our lives.

We all have gone after things that we thought would bring us joy; money and wealth, maybe a luxurious home, beauty and good health, fame and prestige, travel, hobbies, sports, entertainment, the latest fads in clothing, love relationships, friends, food, alcohol, drugs, tobacco, etc. etc.

If we are seeking after these things and not after God, all of these things eventually fail us and all we are left with is disappointment and disillusionment. Some of these things are not "sin" by themselves; and God does want us to be provided for and to have good and wholesome lives. But it is when we put too much emphasis on having these things to fill a void in our hearts, that should be filled with the things of God, that we do err. We think that "things" (stuff) is what will give us satisfaction and fulfillment; and that the joy we think they will bring us, is what life is worth living for.

Sometimes the pursuit for joy and pleasure can lead us to becoming addicted to the things we seek after, and we end up with the consequences that we never intended to have when we first set out to obtain certain things, or for wanting to experience harmful activities that we thought would be pleasurable.

The English definition of joy:

1. a feeling or state of great delight or happiness; keen pleasure; elation, cheerful.

2. a source or cause of keen pleasure or delight.

3. the expression or display of glad feeling; gaiety.

4. to feel joy; be glad; rejoice.

5. to gladden.

The Hebrew word for pleasure can also mean joy or joyfulness; simchah (Strong's #8057) and means: exceedingly, gladness, joyfulness, mirth, pleasure, rejoicing. From sameach; blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival) -- exceeding(-ly), gladness, joy(-fulness), mirth, pleasure, rejoice(-ing).

In Ecclesiastes, Solomon wrote about his pursuit for happiness [joy] and it was recorded for our admonishment and learning in this area; for like many of us, Solomon took on the quest for all the good things this world has to offer. He had the position as king of Israel and all his vast riches at his disposal to enable him to go after these things much more than most of us, whose resources and time are limited.

King Solomon pondered in his heart about the meaning and purpose in life; "I will test to see if seeking after pleasurable things, fun, laughter, entertainment will bring meaning to my life." So he set about seeking after wine, great accomplishments that bring delight, male and female servants, silver and gold, musical entertainment; he did not withhold anything that he desired from himself, that he thought would bring pleasure and meaning to his life. At the end of the test, he said "behold, all is vanity and vexation [reuth; Strong's # 7469; longing, striving, a feeding upon, i.e. grasping after] of spirit and there is no profit under the sun. None of it really accomplished anything of real value or provided him with lasting joy.

Ecclesiastes 2:1 I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity. 2 I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it? 3 I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life. 

4 I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards: 5 I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits: 6  I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees: 7 I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me: 8 I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts. 

9 So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me. 10 And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour. 11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.

The pursuit of these things does seem to give a certain amount of joy in this life, but as Solomon sums it all up; he found that he was still dissatisfied after accomplishing all that he set out to do. His finale analysis of his test, or experiment, is stated in verse 17.

Ecclesiastes 2:17 Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

It is what and how we pursue joy that determines whether an individual experiences the real kind of joy or not.

Ecclesiastes 2:26 For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.

Solomon concludes that all good and true joy are found only in God. And only God supplies the key to the real meaning of life. Without Him, genuine meaning, satisfaction, and enjoyment in life are ultimately elusive. Apart from God, the joy this world offers is elusive and is vanity!

Chasing after joy is like the horse we have all heard about, that wanted the carrot dangling in front of him by a sting hanging from a stick that is attached to his head. The more he stepped forward to get the carrot, the more the carrot moved forward. The horse tries harder and harder to get the carrot, but the carrot moves as fast as he does. Pretty soon the horse is galloping after the carrot, but he can never quite get close enough to nab it with his teeth. It is always just a little bit out of his reach. We can never quite have the joy that we are seeking; it keeps moving away. If we are seeking it to be happy for the sake of being happy, it is an elusive game.

Ecclesiastes 5:10 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.

The World's Joy or God's Spiritual Joy

When we see people around us laughing, full of cheerfulness and having all kinds of fun, does that really indicate that they are experiencing real joy?

Proverbs 14:13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.

Proverbs 10:23 It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.

Proverbs 26:19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?

The joking, laughter and partying in this world are often a cover up, a facade that hides the person's misery, grief and sorrow. The joy and fun that's portrayed in movies, television shows, and in advertisements attempt to bait us into wanting to be just like the actors/actresses, or buying their products, so that we, too, can have the kind of joy and happiness that they seem to have.

Solomon says in Ecclesiastes 3:4 that there is a time for laughter, but the Scriptures show that there is a difference between ungodly laughter and godly laughter. There is a difference between  the worldly joy which is shallow and transitory, and the kind of biblical joy that is a product of the Holy Spirit.

Last week we covered agape love, or godly love, that is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Just like love, joy is much different from this world's concept of what joy is all about and where we must go to attain it.

Godly love is the keeping of God's commandment (1st John 5:3). It comes from God and He is the source of love; it is a product of the Holy Spirit. The fruit of love is from God and does not come naturally to the unconverted people of the world.

Just like love, the fruit of joy is a gift, given to God's children as a product of the Holy Spirit. Joy comes to us supernaturally through having the Holy Spirit shed abroad in our hearts as well. Joy is not a product of the natural mind, but a by-product of the Holy Spirit. As it says in:

Romans 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

It comes to us through our relationship with our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

When men pursue joy apart from God, it produces a superficial and limited kind of joy or happiness, and is not the same as the kind of joy that God wants us to have as a fruit or quality of His Spirit. If we compare the two kinds of joy, we can see that God's joy is continual, its source is in our love for Him, keeping all of His commandments, and in delighting in the things of God. We also can have joy by having hope of the future resurrection to eternal life. Joy is a supernatural quality infused into us from His Holy Spirit,

No matter how successful or wealthy we become, or how physically attractive we are, how much we maintain our strength and health even well into old age, no matter how much influence we have or how famous we become in this life, we can only look forward to it all coming to an end at the end of our days. We grow old, we lose our health, no matter how high our status is in this life, it will all fade away. There are many so-called wealthy and/or famous people living in nursing homes who are no longer influential and who are now forgotten, sometimes even by their friends and family members.

We come to the end of our lives and we die. None of us can keep ourselves from growing old and from dying. And this depressing picture of what we have to look forward to in this life can be replaced with the knowledge that death is not the end. We know that a wonderful, marvelous and truly God-produced, joy-filled world awaits us, if we put our trust in Him in how we should live and then pursue the kind of godly life He shows us. Then old age and death are not our finality. We will rise up in triumph and victory, if we have become one of His children, and if we endure to the end. And that understanding replaces the glum cloud that can hang over our heads when we face trials and difficulties; we can have great joy knowing that there is a glorious future beyond the grave.

God the Father and Jesus Christ His Son, just like having true agape love for each other throughout all time, live in total joy throughout all time. They want to give this joy to us as part of the love that they have for us. It is this kind of joy that we need to seek; not only for ourselves, but to give to others as well.

Joy Comes Naturally When We Apply the Beatitudes 

Earlier we gave the definitions of joy, but there is another definition that is a word that we read much about when we were studying the beatitudes of Matthew 5. That word is "blessed." If blessed means to be happy, and joy is happiness, then to be blessed, is to be filled with happiness or joy.

The Greek word for blessed is makarios (Strong's #3107); supremely blest; by extension, fortunate, well off, blessed, happy.

We have recently studied each of the beatitudes in Matthew 5, and each verse describing a particular beatitude starts with the word "blessed." This word, which also means happy; is a state of mind that comes from having certain godly characteristics and from seeking those things that are of God.  Blessed are the poor in spirit, blessed are they that mourn, those who are meek, those who do thirst and hunger after righteousness, those who are merciful, those who are pure, those who are peacemakers, and blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake. 

The beatitudes teach how us we can become like God, and have the mind of God. These verses in Matthew 5 tell us that we are exceedingly happy, if we seek and learn these things and apply them to our lives. In essence, these verses teach us that we will experience great joy [blessedness] if we are pursuing the things that help us to grow in having the character of God; internalizing His divine nature, and in becoming perfect [complete] as our Father in heaven is perfect [complete]. (Matthew 5:38)

The things that God has for us are priceless and are worth more than all the riches in the world. The riches that the world seeks after are temporal and elusive, but the treasure that God offers us is sure and lasting.  The out pouring of His spiritual blessings, which include love and joy, are beyond description.

1st Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

A Productive Life Brings Joy

Hebrews 1:8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. 9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

Jesus has more joy than all His companions (that includes everyone), and if He is the expressed image of His Father, they both are full of joy. The Bible also says that they work; that they are always working. Our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus, are busy working at their Master Plan and bringing their children, the called out ones, to spiritual completion.

John 5:17 But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.

It is through our work that we derive much joy in life. God tells us through Solomon that:

Ecclesiastes 5:18 Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.

Ecclesiastes 2:24 There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.

Ecclesiastes 9:7 Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works. 8 Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment. 9 Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun.

Elohim created us to be in their image and we were created to work and produce just as they work and produce.

There are many things in this world enticing us to seek after, in obtaining joy in our lives. But the greatest joys in this life, is when we lose ourselves in a work or a cause; whether it's building and providing for our families, earning money to pay our bills and to be able to give, when we are working to benefit others who need help, or helping others to learn about God. It is self-concern, seeking joy and pleasure just for ourselves that bring emptiness, unhappiness and a longing for more and more.

God wants us to seek joy for ourselves and others, but it must be sought by His way and not the way of the world. The best and truly biblical joy comes as a product of submitting and yielding our lives to doing His work and fulfilling the purpose for which He created us for. We are to work at our salvation,

and then assisting others who are seeking God as well; encouraging and edifying them by our example, our words and our deeds (works), and that will bring God, others, and ourselves true pleasure.

Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

If we are living for Christ (obeying Him and seeking to please Him with all that we do), then we will be doing His works. And because of what we are doing with our lives, we will provide the fruits of our labors for others and they benefit from our work.

Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.

Even though life was hard for Paul, his prospective on the purpose for him to continue to live and do God's work, was so that others would come to the faith and be taught about how to live for God. By his continuing to live and do his apostolic work in this way, he realized that it would bring joy to those who were being drawn to God, and gave Paul joy as well.

Philippians 1:23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: 24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; 26 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.

We must be about our Father's business, seeking to do His work rather than pursuing after wealth and gain that we think will bring us joy. Joy will come along side us when we are yielding wholeheartedly to the very purpose that our Great Creator God created us for. He is working at bringing about a spectacular spiritual transformation in our hearts and character, and wants to make us into His Spiritual image.

Delving into this study this week, brought to mind a famous quote I heard a long time ago. It is a quote by H.D. Thoreau.

"Happiness [or joy] is like a butterfly; the more you chase it, the more it will elude you, but if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder..." H.D. Thoreau

Using Our Spiritual Gifts to Bring Joy to God's Ekklesia

We, as God's children, should seek out and discover what our spiritual gift is, and then ask God to give opportunities to use our gift in service for Him and the Ekklesia. In studying about the gifts of the Spirit, I learned that our gifting is generally what we like to do, that which motivates us, and it is work that generally energizes us rather than what seems like drudgery. This is one way how we can know what out spiritual gift is.

When we utilize our God-given spiritual gifts with the purpose of benefiting others, joy will be given to us as well; for we will be fulfilling our purpose and what God has designed us to be able to do. Biblical joy is a gift back to us when we are using our spiritual gifts in service to God and mankind. And we serve God when we serve others, and also those who are deemed the least in the Ekklesia. (Matthew 25:40).

Ecclesiastes 12:10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

Having Joy While in Trials

A follower of Jesus will suffer from trials and adversities, disappointment and disillusionment, as a result of living in this present evil world; but if he has the joy of the Lord in him, it will always sustain him through the trials of life. His spiritual joy is greater than any difficult situation that happens to him or to others.

When Paul and Silas were thrown in prison unlawfully for preaching the gospel, instead of bemoaning their fate; they reasoned along the same lines of the other apostles, when they rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for God's name. Right in the midst of being chained and imprisoned, they had a praise and worship service between the two of them. Their joy shook up the house (literally), and later the jailer and his whole family were convicted of their sins and were baptized. It was apostles' "joy of the Lord," even in the most miserable of conditions, that sparked the events of that day.

Acts 16:24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. 25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. 26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.

Yes, we do cry sometimes and sorrow (even Jesus was called a man of many sorrows, acquainted with grief). We cry and sigh over the horrible things that are happening all over world. But then we look up to God and know that all these things are going to work out for the good, in God's perfect timing. We can have a deep abiding joy, knowing that everything is going to work out, in God's way. We must trust that He knows what He is doing and not second-guess Him what He is doing, even if things do not make sense to us at the present time. We were born because it is God's good pleasure that we all will eventually rise to the challenge of overcoming and defeating Satan and all his ways, and then to go in and inherit the Kingdom, prepared from the foundation of the world.

Giving Exhibits God's Love and Joy for Us

God is the giver of every good and perfect gift. As His children who are being fashioned into His image, we are called to exemplify His giving, to  follow His example of His infinitely large heart. As generous givers of our labors, time, resources, gifts and talents to others, we paint a picture of God's character and all of His attributes for others to see and experience. When we give of ourselves to others, we are blessed as well as the one we give to. (makarios: happy, fortunate)

Acts 20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

God is the greatest Giver of all, and everything that comes to us is a gift from Him!

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

When Jesus was a man here on earth, He must have worked very hard as a carpenter's son, and then as adult man working with His hands and taking care of His human family, Mary, and his brothers and sisters. Joseph, his human step-father, appears to have died sometime between the incident at the temple when Jesus was 12, and the time that Jesus began His ministry. Jesus, being the first born, would have had the responsibility of becoming the head of the household and to be the provider of the family.

When it came time to begin His ministry, Jesus laid His carpentry tools aside and began the work of preaching and teaching and doing all kinds of good for all those who would cross His path.

Acts 10:8 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

And as we reflect on how generous and good God has been to us in our lives, by calling us, giving us so many fantastic and wondrous gifts, including the gift of His Holy Spirit; in our joy, we want to reciprocate by doing whatsoever He asks of us in return.

Psalm 116:12 What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me?

A Thankful Heart, A Key to Overflowing Joy!

Psalm 100:1 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. 2 Serve the  

Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. 3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 

King David tells us that when we approach God, we are to enter into His gates with thankful hearts and praise for all that He is and for all He is doing!

Psalm 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. 5 For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

The Apostle Paul, also, knew the secret to having a cheerful and joyful heart!

Ephesians 5:15 See then that ye walk circumspectly [obeying all of God's word], not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. 18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Brethren, it is so very important and vital to have a thankful heart. A thankful heart can change the whole way we see life! It is a floodgate opener to blessings, joy, peace and all sorts of goodness. With thankful hearts, we can even touch the very heart of God, because He is our Father and He is delighted when His children turn back (Luke 17:12-18) to give Him thanks for all that He does for them. By developing a thankful heart we can revolutionize the quality and enjoyment of our lives and we will be filled with this fruit of the Spirit!

Putting God and His Righteousness First in Our Lives!

Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

When we are seeking to obey all of God's commandments, studying and learning more and more of His Word, adjusting our lives to reflect changes we need to make when He shows us new understanding, along with believing in and having total faith that God loves us, that He is taking care of us, will provide and protect us; then we can truly know what it is to experience supreme godly JOY. 

1st John 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

If we seek first God's Kingdom and all His righteousness, then the by-product will be joy. God will show us the path to life; and if we are on that path, we will be walking with Him, walking as He walks, and we will walk in His presence in fulness of His joy. The closer we walk with Him, the more joy we will have. It will be the kind of joy that will stay with us throughout our lives and even beyond. We will live in His presence for ever and, oh, what JOY that will be!

Psalm 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Psalm 36:7 How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. 8 They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. 9 For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.

By fulfilling His Joy, we too will an abundance of joy!

Constance