The second part of the fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22 is joy. In order to understand joy it must be differentiated from pleasure.
“Hedone” is the Greek word for pleasure and where we get our word, hedonism, which means “a devotion, especially a self-indulgent one, to pleasure and happiness as a way of life.” (Encarta Dictionary online) The Greek word for joy is “chara” and means 1) joy, gladness, 1a) the joy received from you, 1b) the cause or occasion of joy, 1b1) of persons who are one’s joy.
Pleasure is temporal and for us. Joy is lasting and benefits others. In seeking pleasure, we seek to please ourselves. Joy has a source in something outside us. That source is God.
“Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!” Nehemiah 8:10c
We do not rejoice in ourselves, but in God’s saving power…
20However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:20 (NIV)
Joy comes into our lives when people discover our Savior…
10“In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:10 (NASB)
Our joy is complete only when we are close to and obedient to, Jesus…
10“If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. 11“These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. John 15:10 - 11 (NASB)
We are commanded to be joyful (in the Lord)…
4Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Philippians 4:4 (NASB)
Daily circumstances cannot stand in the way of joy that comes from the Lord. We can be sad about something here on earth, but our joy is founded on our hope of heaven. Let people see your joy so that they might desire to know its source.
Not too long ago, a mother lost her young son to a tragic accident. She grieved, but you could see her joy in the Lord through her grief. She was ever so quick to tell everyone the source of that joy.
Pleasure lasts but for a short time here on this earth, but joy in the Lord lasts for an eternity.
SEEK FIRST THE
