The Joy of the Lord is Greater than a Moment of Happiness

Galatians 5:22-26

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Today we continue with our examination of the Fruits of the Spirit as found in Galatians 5. I believe a good attitude and the level of love we show in our life goes a long way in expressing the maturity of our faith.  Some wise pastor once said – Christianity boils down to attitude.

The second fruit listed is joy.  Joy is not the same as happiness.  I’m sure some of you remember the saying I coined that says happiness is circumstantially driven, while joy is spiritually derived.  Happiness is all about the moment – my team won and I am happy – I got a new job and I am happy – my car slid down the driveway into the woods and I am not happy – it isn’t totaled and will be repaired and I am happy again.  Joy is something that runs deeper than circumstantially driven happiness.  It is derived from a relationship with Jesus.

This passage from Romans speaks volumes about the joy we have in Christ.

Romans 5:1-5 – 1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

The joy we have in Christ – is greater than the circumstances that pervade our lives.

Just something to think about today as you go on your way.

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