The Fruit of the Spirit is … Joy – 12
February 24, 2020The Fruit of the Spirit is … Peace – 1
February 25, 2020But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. … It gave me great joy to have some believers come and testify to your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. … I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. … I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.
We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete.
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.
1Pe 4:13; 2Jo 1:4, 3Jo 1:3, 3 Jo 1:4, 2Jo 1:12; 1Jo 1:3-4; 1Pe 1:8; Ju 1:24-25
Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV.® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
3 Comments
Is the joy our Scripture speaks of always linked to relationship? It seems that biblical joy as you present in the verses above is somehow caught up in an embrace or dance between us and God and other believers. It seems as if the events of the world , whether suffering or pleasure, strengthen that joy as long as we face and hold on to each other. Is this getting at the center of your understanding, Walt, or is there more?
Al, that’s also how I see the message of the Good News. Of course, “joy,” as a “fruit of the spirit,” (Gal 5:22-23), cannot be earned or learned. But, rather, as we’re filled (controlled and empowered) by the Holy Spirit (Eph 5:18), His joy both penetrates us and permeates before it then overflows from us — much the same way the invaluable treasure of Holy water might flow from a cracked pot of clay (2 Co 4:7). So, it’s more about the fruit He can bear in and through us than what we can do. More about His way than our way. More and more about Yahweh. But, I also think we’re only scratching the surface of the depth of God’s Word, eh?
Oh, and to answer your question, “Is there more?” but, of course, there’s always more — an eternity of more. Can’t wait.