Fruit of the Spirit

2nd Fruit of the Spirit:

Joy

Biblical joy is the true joy that comes from satisfying the spiritual void with good relationships, primarily an intimate relationship with the One who is pure joy. Being second in the list surprises many people who mistakenly think joy is spiritually unimportant. The Greek word for “joy” is “chara”. Joy is the natural reaction to the work of God, whether promised or fulfilled. Some religious people even shun joy, at least subconsciously, thinking that pious people should instead be solemn. A few even choose asceticism, which God abhors. Joy is not optional. God’s joy continues to flow through His people even during their suffering because of their rock-solid hope. Jesus put it this way: “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit” (John 15:5). That fruit includes much joy, the Lord’s greater desire is that you have unconditional joy. Jesus spoke to His disciples, “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:11). The difference between joy and happiness. Happiness is an emotion, and God never intended for people to be in that emotional state all the time.

The Bible speaks much more often of joy than of being happy. “Hap” means “chance” and is the root of several words: happen, happening, haphazard (dependent on mere chance), hapless, happenstance (a chance circumstance) and happy. Happiness is a glad feeling that depends on something good happening or occurring. God wants you to experience happy times, in which He desires His children to experience. The world has a woeful shortage of joy and a surplus of fear, worry, opposition and depression. Even the “pursuit of happiness” nor obsessive pleasure–seeking ever bring any kind of deep and lasting joy, because it is a byproduct of the Spirit of God. Our joy does not come from our external, tangible or temporary circumstances the way that happiness does. Our joy comes from something bigger, it comes from God through His compassion, forgiveness and understanding. Everything that we have through His grace and mercy from knowing where we will spend eternity.

John Piper’s definition of joy, is a good feeling in the soul, produced by the Holy Spirit, as He causes us to see the beauty to Christ in the Word and in the world. Joy is cheerfulness that is calm, delight, gladness. Think of joy as a strong foundation that supports a variety of healthy emotions, including happiness. The long-range evidence of joy is general gratitude, contentment, optimism, a sense of freedom and other positive attitudes. To grow in joy, we must resist not only self-pity but also being self–centered, self–consumed and self–absorbed. For joy to flourish, we must focus on loving others and especially on loving God. Supreme joy is God’s nature and character. Because, we can see proof everywhere in God’s creation such as birds singing, animals leaping, flowers blooming, brooks babbling and the sun shining. Many people would be less depressed if they would spend more time outside.

Everyone wants to enjoy life. Many people place the source of their joy in what they own, in their reputation, in their status, or in other worldly things. Yet, all of those things are unstable and can easily evaporate, taking joy with them. Joy is largely composed of gratitude: gratefulness, indebtedness and recognition. For, gratitude toward the wonderful things God has done for us and His “exceedingly great and precious promises” for our future.

Jesus first in our lives

Others second in our lives

Yourself last

God’s Spirit is a tree of life, producing life-giving fruit (Galatians 5:22-23). That fruit includes great joy. Gratitude produces joy, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 (NKJV). And our gratitude should be for other people’s blessings as well as for our own. “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15). One of the side effects of Jesus coming to Earth was that we could have lasting joy. Indeed, the gladness and joy that so many people so desperately want can be found only in Jesus.

The Greek “chara” is closely related to “charis”, which means“grace” or “a gift.” “Chara” is the normal response to “charis”, we have joy because of God's grace. The next step in the progression is to allow our joy to become an action as we express it, although sometimes joy can be so great it is inexpressible. “Whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory” 1 Peter 1:8 (NKJV). Possessing joy is a choice. We choose whether to value God's presence, promises, and work in our lives. When we yield to the Spirit, He opens our eyes to God's grace around us and fills us with joy. “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” Romans 15:13 (NKJV). Joy is not to be found in a fallen world; it is only fellowship with God that can make our joy complete. “And these things we write to you that your joy may be full” 1 John 1:4 (NKJV). Keep in mind that, the quality of joy is much needed quality in this day and age. No matter how bad of a beating you may have taken in this life, in which God can still fully heal, deliver, and restore you if you are willing to work with Him in this healing process. And one of the things that God can fully restore in you is your joy in Him. And not only can the Lord fully restore what joy you used to have in Him, but He can also increase it to a much greater degree and intensity due to the wording in the above verse with the quality of joy being one of the 9 specific fruits of His Holy Spirit.