Fruit of the Spirit -- Joy

You can find the post for "Fruit of the Spirit -- Love", here. 

Today's post is on the fruit of the Spirit: joy. 

I found SO much on joy during my search on BibleGateway.com. This is a great website that has many resources. I definitely encourage you to check it out. This is where the majority of today's post comes from. 

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, 
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness 
and 
self-control." 
Galatians 5:22

Joy = the emotion of great delight or happiness, keen pleasure, the expression or display of glad feelings, state of happiness. 

Strong's Dictionary = gladness, the joy received from you, the cause or occasion of joy, of person's who are one's joy. 

Joy in one form or another appears at least 59 times in the New Testament. 

Joy is a quality or attitude of delight and happiness, ultimately grounded in the work of God. Among the many situations in which joy is experienced, Scripture recognizes as supreme being accepted in the presence of God. 

There is joy of the Church, joy of the Holy Spirit, joy of God, and joy of Christ. 

• Joy of the Church 
• The church is to rejoice in the salvation brought by Christ's faithful life and death, and the power of His resurrection. Even in adversity, believers know the joy of Christ. 
• There is joy at the coming of Christ.
• Joy is the hallmark of the Kingdom of God. 
• Christ promises joy.
• There is joy among believers.
• Joy experienced in relationship with Christ.
• There is joy even in adversity.
• Joy because of faith and obedience, love and concern.
• Joy because of our partnership in the Gospel. 

• Joy of the Holy Spirit 
• The Spirit gives an inner contentment and happiness which is not dependent upon external circumstances. (This is one statement that really struck a cord with me. How often do I let the world determine my joy, instead of Christ?)
• The Spirit enables the Messiah to bring joy. 
• The Spirit gives joy:
• To those who were anticipating the birth of Christ.
• To Christ, Himself.
• To disciples even in the face of opposition. 
• Evidence of the Spirit's work prompts believers to rejoice!

• Joy of God
• God rejoices in the well-being and faithfulness of His people and in the repentance and conversion of sinners. He brings joy to His people, who rejoice in His presence and faithfulness.
• God is the source of joy!
• He rejoices in the restoration of His people. 
• Joy is found in the heavenly presence of God.
• Causes of God's joy:
• His own works.
• His chosen servants.
• Christ, His Son.
• The restored temple.
• His people and their worship. (How is our worship bringing joy to God? Is it at all?)
• Repentance
• Obedience, honesty, and integrity.

• Joy of Christ
• Originates in God:
• From His intimate relationship with His Father and the Spirit.
• From His awareness of God's purposes.
• To know Christ brings great joy to others!

Some other examples of joy can be found in Philippians and 1 Thessalonians. 

"But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice." 

Philippians 1:18-19

"You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit." 
1 Thessalonians 1:6


"Joy is different from happiness, because happiness depends on what happens. There are elements in our circumstances we cannot help; joy is independent of them all." 
Oswald Chambers, He Shall Glorify Me


Although these are only two verses of Scripture that speak on joy, there are many verses that go along with all of this post. I encourage you to go to BibleGateway.com and look up joy. 


(Today's post was gathered from Dictionary.com, BibleGateway.com, and BlueLetterBible.org)