The joy of the Lord is something God desires for His children to know and walk in.
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
The fruit of the Spirit has all the characteristics listed in this passage. This week the fruit of the Spirit is joy! The source that causes fruit to bear and mature is the root. Jesus is the root; abiding in Christ makes the branch fruitful.
1 Corinthians 6:9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.
Keeping the fruit of the Spirit in context is important. In Galatians 5 it is the works of the flesh are… then the fruit of the Spirit is… There are four parallel passage that list the works of the flesh last week we read Galatians 5 list. This week its 1 Corinthians 6. When the works of the flesh are listed it is made clear, those who do these things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. People who make claims to live for Jesus and continue in an ungodly lifestyle fool themselves; don’t be deceived they will not inherit the kingdom of God. Where the works of the flesh are listed the next truth comes out “and such were some of you.” Those who are born again are not any of those things; you are washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.
Galatians 5:24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. This is a principle of grace that is often misunderstood. When a man comes to Jesus he dies to himself and the sinful nature he was born with. He becomes a new creation in Christ Jesus. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit; indeed this is a command of grace. Now that God has made you a new creation walk in it!
JOY:
G5479. chara, khar-ah'; from G5463; cheerfulness, i.e. calm delight:--gladness, X greatly, (X be exceeding) joy (-ful, -fully, -fulness, -ous).
Romans 14:17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
The substance and reality of the kingdom is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. God has an intent for His children. That they live in the joy of the Holy Spirit
1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith; the salvation of your souls.
What is source of the joy? The Father has begotten us into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The source of joy is come from the work of the living God. We indeed have an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and cannot fade away, reserved for us! IN THIS YOU GREATLY REJOICE! The greatness of your Savior is joy inexpressible and full of glory. An old song says “It is joy unspeakable and full of glory”. Rejoice and you will receive the end result of your faith the salvation of your soul. You have a spirit to Spirit connection to God at the point of salvation, when you renew your soul with this truth you will experience the joy God intends.
Acts 8:5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. 6 And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 And there was great joy in that city.
The source of joy remains the same today as it was for the city of Samaria; the preaching of the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It time for the church to come and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ!
Isaiah 12:2 Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; 'For YAH, the LORD, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.'“ 3 Therefore with joy you will draw water From the wells of salvation. 4 And in that day you will say: "Praise the LORD, call upon His name; Declare His deeds among the peoples, Make mention that His name is exalted.
Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. Trusting in Jesus Christ as Lord is the way to make a withdraw from the well of salvation. Jesus says come and drink; the result is the joy of the Lord. Praise the Lord put it in your mouth!
John 15:10 "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. 11 "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
Abide in His love. Jesus loves us as the Father loved Him. The Father’s heart is revealed! His desire is for us to remain in the joy of Jesus and live our lives full of that joy!
Psalms 16:11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
The Father has desire for you to be in His presence; He has made the way into His very presence by Jesus our forerunner. In His presence is fullness of joy; you are invited to come boldly into His throne room of grace.
James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
The fruit of the Spirit will bring you through the good and the bad! Count it joy when you fall into various trials? It is not we are looking for and crying out to God for the trials; however in the midst of the trial we can rejoice that the God of our salvation is on our side and will bring us through. We can rejoice because the trial will produce patience; and patience will have it perfect work. What is the perfect work? Read it, “that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. Rejoice in the Lord, the trial, the rejoicing in the middle of the trial, then the outcome, the lacking nothing. This is the good news of the gospel.
Hebrews 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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Jesus having seen the completed work of the Father and was able to endure the cross. Who for the joy set before Him… We are called to walk in His joy.
Romans 15:10 And again he says: "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!“ 11 And again: "Praise the LORD, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples!“ 12 And again, Isaiah says: "There shall be a root of Jesse; And He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, In Him the Gentiles shall hope.“ 13 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.
Rejoice and praise the Lord! Laud Him, declare His goodness in the midst of the trial. The God of hope will fill you with ALL JOY and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit! The joy of the Lord is our strength.
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