On Joy

Joy – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy…
Galatians 5.22

not happiness

Joy is not hedonism – the pursuit of pleasure.

“Joy is something the world knows nothing about. Many are in a mad pursuit of pleasure. Some of found a measure of happiness or satisfaction. But they cannot even imagine what it is like to have the deep, continuing joy that is the fruit of the Spirit.”[1]

It is not fulfilled from outward circumstances or things.

inward joy

Joy is the Greek word chara meaning gladness. It can come from having a greater cause or participating in an occasion.

In the New Testament, it is mostly used in a spiritual sense.

To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.
Isaiah 61.3

There is an oil of joy for morning. This is nothing less than an anointing. In fact, oil is a symbol used for the Holy Spirit.

In context, this verse is a Messianic prophecy, stating joy would be central to the Messiah’s ministry.

outward joy

A person can have joy in another person who is one’s joy.

Most often it is used in Scripture in the context of sharing gladness.

Think of these examples. You’re out shopping alone and you find a great deal on something you’ve wanted for a while. Who is the one person you think of telling?
When your favorite ball team wins the pennant who do you call?
Who do you text most of the time?
Who’s walking with you?

Because of the fruit of the Spirit, we now share our joy with the church as well.

“It is the positive expectation that God is at work in the lives of fellow believers, a celebration of our ultimate victory in Christ. Joy is the heart of worship.”[2]

Switchfoot & Jenn Johnson
Joy Invincible

To watch on YouTube CLICK

On Love in Brief CLICK

notes:

1. Stanley M. Horton, What the Bible Says About the Holy Spirit, Rev. ed. (Springfield, MO: Gospel Publishing House, 2005), 178.
2. David Lim, “Spiritual Gifts,” in Systematic Theology, ed. Stanley Horton (Springfield, MO: Logion Press, 2002), 480.