“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
-Galatians 5:22-23
The second characteristic fruit of the Spirit that Paul gives the Galatians is Joy. The Oxford Dictionary defines joy as “Pleasurable emotion due to well-being or satisfaction,” which is clearly suitable for the situation of the children of God. As with each of the fruits listed in our text, only the born again child of God has the capability of biblical and true joy. This is for a very simple reason: the only lasting satisfaction is found in Jesus Christ. Otherwise, the world always desires more, more, more. Naturally, we want more money, more time, more friends, more recognition, more rest, and the list of desires continues indefinitely. However, when blessed to consider our condition in Christ, we happily sing the Psalm “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” That is, God according to His abundant mercy has provided for all our needs and well-being. Because of this providence, we can experience joy in Christ.
One of the defining attributes of Christian joy is its lasting nature. The joy we have in Jesus is not fleeting like the happiness of the world. Frequently, we witness people’s outlook change drastically from one day to another: today, they will be happy and excited, but tomorrow they will act sorrowful and irritable. In contrast, our joy is based on the very goodness of God, which is a truth that cannot ever change! It logically follows, then, that we should “Rejoice in the Lord alway,” (Philippians 4:4) and that our rejoicing should be with “Joy unspeakable and full of glory” (I Peter 1:8). Have we received bad news? Bad news certainly hurts, but it does not change the wonderful nature of God. It does not change our position in Christ. It does not change the fact that Christ has ultimate victory over the devil, and that we shall live with Him in glory for ever and ever. Therefore, it should not change our joy!
My final point is that joy is the opposite of covetousness. The fleshly nature is never satisfied and is always hungry for “the next big thing.” Nothing ever seems to be enough and satisfaction is never found. To experience joy, we must be satisfied. Consider the failure in this point of the children of Israel in their reaction to manna from heaven in their journeyings in the wilderness. God had supplied them miraculously with manna from heaven (Exodus 16). However, they ultimately became dissatisfied and desired meat (Numbers 11), which was greatly displeasing to the Lord. Clearly, they did not demonstrate joy in their blessed condition. Rather than walk in the Spirit, they allowed the nature of covetousness and gluttony to consume them. Before we judgmentally dismiss this as “those stubborn Israelites,” however, we ought to examine ourselves. Let us take heed to the wisdom of scripture: “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us therewith be content” (I Timothy 6:6). With this contentedness in the blessings of God, we will express an enduring joy that distinguishes itself from all worldly happiness.
May God help us to be joyful people, bearing this fruit abundantly to the praise of the Lord who made us.