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Let's take a short look at the subject of Joy from Galatians Chapter 5, verse
22.
Gal_5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering,
kindness,
goodness, faith, gentleness and self control.
It
has been said that 'Power'
is people's main motivation in this world but 'LOVE' is the
motivation in the kingdom of God Joy can be defined as 'An almost euphoric state of well-being, not dependent on or affected by outside circumstance. Rather it is given from within to be part of our very being.' That's the definition of Joy, as found in God's people, which I'd like to concentrate on. But you may be thinking, what do you mean it's the currency of the kingdom of God. That's a nice sound bite but what proof can you offer to show this Well let's look at Hebrews, Chapter 12, verse 2. Heb_12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Jesus endured the torture, beating, shame and death of the cross for the JOY that was set before Him! That was the reward that the Father held out in front of Him. Now you may be thinking; that's all well and good for Jesus! He was a Spirit being. He was God! He had everything! Obviously gold and silver didn't mean anything to Him! But how does that relate to us? We are living as flesh and blood human beings! Well, have you not noticed that when it comes to specifics that will appeal to our hearts, the reward that is held out for us is also JOY! Have a look at 1 Peter 4:13 1 Pe_4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.Notice whatever sufferings we might go through for Jesus' sake, when He is revealed in glory, our reward is to be glad with exceeding JOY! That's not to say we don't have other rewards but exceeding JOY is the reward stated here for being a disciple! Joy is something we will be experiencing now as children of God and which we will experience forever in the presence of God when we have incorruptible bodies; to go with our then fully renewed minds and our current perfect spirit! Having the Joy of the Lord now enables us to face all trials knowing that they cannot phase us or defeat us. Our ultimate victory is in Jesus who has already obtained the victory for us. We are to walk in that victory which we have in Jesus. That is why the bible tells us that we are more than conquerors. We walk in the victory without having done the conquering ourselves! Jesus conquered for us on the cross! Let's give a concrete example from the bible. In Acts, Chapter 16 we are told of the incident where Paul and Silas are beaten with rods and thrown into prison because they preached the gospel and removed an evil spirit from a young girl who was seen by her handlers only as a source of money! That was their reward and they were mad! Being beaten with rods, I am told, means that your bones are bruised and you, as a result, will be in excruciating pain for days! This is the physical state of Paul and Silas after the beating and to top it all their feet are locked into stocks in the jail. But about midnight we find Paul and Silas not bemoaning their lot but singing praises and worshiping God. They are filled with joy despite the external circumstances. Can you imagine the possible scene in heaven as God's angel valet brings him the news of what's going on? God knew of course but His angels would still be bringing Him their surprised messages! So God says to the valet angel, I think I'll go down for a closer look and be present with them And the angel says, do You want me to lay out anything special for You to wear? God thinks about it and says, Just my earthquake boots!… And the rest is history! Just as with Paul and Silas we can walk in the victory that Jesus has won for us and live in the Joy of the lord, where circumstances do not have to dictate the state of mind that we exhibit. Because of that victory that Jesus has wrought for us on the cross we should be glad NOW with exceeding Joy! Paul tells us in Col 1:13 that we have been removed from the kingdom of darkness and put into the kingdom of God's dear Son. That is news to be joyful about. And he says in Romans 14, verse 17. Rom_14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy, in the Holy Ghost. Notice that JOY as well as the other gifts is in the Holy Ghost That is why we have it NOW and forever! We have the Holy Spirit now and Jesus promised us in John_14: 16 that the Holy Spirit would come and dwell in us and would be with us forever. My understanding therefore is that this Joy is not only for us in this world but also will be with us forever. Look at Jude 1:24 Jude 1:24-25 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. God's plan is to keep us from falling and present us flawless at the return of Jesus in glory with exceeding Joy. And my God cannot fail. I for one, am glad that God does not have 'butter fingers' and I'm looking forward to being presented flawless before the Lord and experiencing the exceeding Joy that is promised! God even foretold in the Old Testament times that He would do this. If we look at Isaiah 35:10 we see this... Isa_35:10 And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain JOY and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. (Also Isa 51:11) Joy is for us to access and live in NOW and know that this Joy will just go on and even increase into the future. In the presence of God there is Joy forevermore! As my wife Janetta has said, the Joy of the Lord is my elixir of life. Let's all make this Joy OUR elixir of life!
Attlee.
Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread. Click Here.
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