His Joy!

I recently asked the people in a class I was teaching at Alaska Bible College, “what brings you joy?” I prefaced it by saying, “I am not asking for a “biblical” response.” I was looking for the first ideas that came to mind that the students enjoyed. What comes to your mind when you think about, “what brings me joy?” The answers I received ranged from summiting a mountain and walking along the ridge to using a skill that fixed a problem well.

What was interesting to me is that many of the responses included the joy of relationships with family, friends and the community. When talking about “joy” we do need to distinguish it from “happiness.” One of the students insightfully brought this need to define up when he was responding.



Joy is different from happiness though the emotional feeling may be similar. Happiness is most often connected to our “happenings.” If our circumstances are positive, we experience a sense of happiness.

If our circumstances are negative, we experience a sense of sadness. Joy is an experience we can embrace as a lifestyle regardless of our circumstances. As believers it is something that the Holy Spirit gives us as we surrender control to Him as he produces His fruit in us.

Galatians 5:22,23 reveals the “fruit” of the Spirit. Though eight virtues are listed in these verses, the “fruit” of the Spirit is singular. So, it is not fruits of the Spirit, but rather it is the one fruit (produce) of the Spirit that reveals itself in an eight multi-faceted way.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23, ESV. Have you ever thought about what brings our Savior, the Lord Jesus, joy? Many things might come to mind, but thankfully, the Bible, God’s love letter to us, does not leave us guessing! The writer of Hebrews, guided by the Holy Spirit, wrote these amazing words about His joy! Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV. Jesus, when facing the darkest hour of His life, looked forward with joy for the relationship that He was going to have with you and me! Through His death and resurrection we can live life with Him like a person looks forward to doing life with their spouse. We are His joy! His perfect life and sacrificial death were so that we could be His joy! Though it may seem difficult to understand why he would have us as His joy, He longs for you and me to be in close relationship with Him.

His death on the cross provides the way for the sin barrier to be removed and forgiven. This brings Him great joy! It is also the basis for our joy if we put our trust in HIs gift of joy. This joy He offers us is paid in full by His sacrifice of love displayed at Calvary.

Are you, His joy? He gave up His all so that He could have you be His joy! Let’s enjoy Him! Having our sins forgiven and in close relationship with Him through faith alone is the only genuine pathway to experiencing joy regardless of our circumstances. Dr. David Ley is the President of Alaska Bible College and Pastor of Family Care, ChangePoint Mat-Su.

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