During the Christmas Season, many congregations will sing “Joy to the World,” but somewhere the meaning of joy gets lost. Its power is overlooked, especially when people focus on the pursuit of happiness. Happiness never gives you strength during difficult times; in fact, it generally is unsustainable when such circumstances arise. Joy on the other hand, will get you through the thick and the thin. It is a major component of the Fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23. In Hebrews, we are encouraged to consider the endurance of Jesus.
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. For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds (Hebrews 12:2-3).
At times, people wonder how they’re ever going to make it. Understanding joy will help them. So, what is joy? It is an inner glee that gives you strength. Having it is not predicated on external circumstances. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. As stated earlier, joy is a component of the fruit of the Spirit, which means it comes through Him and is not self-generated. That means joy requires obedience and submission. What does it mean to obey? In short, to believe with the intent to submit to the will of God out of love. Not only does that involve belief in Him, it includes believing Him.
John 15:10-11 If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love. These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
Did you notice Jesus said, “that MY joy might remain in you?” Everything comes through Jesus Christ, and that includes joy. In order to have joy that comes from above, one must have a right relationship with God through Him. There is no other way!
It could be said that those who lack joy, lack submission. Of course, that is part of the story. Another area that causes a person to have a deficit of joy is lack of belief. When a person turns his gaze to the things of the world, he will not only be more considerate of the things of the world, but also its messages. How many of those messages are contrary to the Word and will of God? Many of them are based on the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life (see 1John 2:15-17). In fact, these three were present when sin entered into the world. Let’s see if we can discern these three elements at work in the first temptation recorded in Genesis.
Genesis 3:4-6 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food (lust of the flesh), and that it was pleasant to the eyes (lust of the eyes), and a tree to be desired to make one wise (pride of life), she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat (Read the entire chapter for full context).
It led to rebellion. Isn’t that the crux of the worldly message? “Rebel, do your own thing and don’t worry about the consequences!” With repentance, comes restoration of joy to those who have been double-minded. Each of us must decide who or what we will believe and follow.
When you focus on the wrong things, joy will elude you. Another consideration is that many of the world’s messages are fear-based. There is no love and faith attached to them. They proclaim certain destruction and rob people of hope. At the same time, they lure people into its clutches by promising false hope. It offers help and self-based salvation, while encouraging us to believe in ourselves, instead of God alone. As far as God fitting into its picture, its message is simple: “Believe in a higher power, which could even be a light bulb, but don’t believe in the God of the Bible.” It gets a bit shaky when you embrace the world instead of the Word of God!
Luke 2:10-11 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
God offers joy to all who receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. If you haven’t taken Him up on His invitation, now is the time. Today is the Day of Salvation. Call on the Name of Jesus and be saved.
Romans 10:9-13 (That) if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him. For whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved.
