The fruit of the Spirit is…joy

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22, 23.

        These are the fruit of the Spirit so we always look for their source in the Holy Spirit and their clearest exemplification in Jesus. What better example could we start with than Luke 10:21― At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, ‘I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.’ In fact, Psalm 45:6, 7 and Hebrews 1:9 tell us that Jesus was anointed above his companions, “with the oil of joy.”

        So, just what is this “joy”? From a scriptural standpoint, W.E.Vine’s Dictionary of the Bible says the word in Galatians (Greek chara) is “joy, delight”.  The reference in Luke 10 (Greek agalliasis), is “exultation, exuberant joy”. It seems almost like a child getting their gifts on Christmas morning. Dare we say that Jesus was at last seeing something He had waited all eternity for? Among other causes for His rejoicing, He now has disciples whose names are written in heaven, and they have believed simply, like children.

        Where does this take us in our own experience of joy? Think for a moment of the poor woman whose tears wet Jesus’ feet. Were they tears of remorse? I don’t think so. She was most thankful―they were tears of joy. I’ve heard of believers who may never have experienced the breaking of bread or even communion before. The realization of what Jesus has done for them, and hearing others put it into words, overwhelms them, just like this woman.

        But what about joy in the souls of us long-time believers? Is it there? Sometimes it steals up on us when we least expect it. Perhaps now we are coming around to C.S.Lewis and his “joy”, as in his book “Surprised by Joy”.

        I was taken by a friend to a large city-church of a mainline denomination and, frankly, I was skeptical of the level of spirituality and worship that I would see. In fact, I was stirred to my depths― all these people around me, none of whom I knew―and all singing the praises of Jesus, loud and clear― “Jesus Saves!”, “Take the Name of Jesus with You”, “It is Finished, the Battle Is Over”… “Joy” was the operative word for me at that moment.

        Joy comes in quieter ways too. I have sat with my children and grandchildren around a dinner table and, amid all the hubbub, I’ve thought, “Lord, it doesn’t get any better than this! Thank you.”

        Let’s go back to our verse for a moment. “Joy” is the fruit of the Spirit, but it is difficult to see how we can produce it in ourselves. Maybe instead it is our job to help produce it for others. This would be an obvious outcome of the love we talked about last time. Love is patient? Love is kind? Love always protects? Love keeps no record of wrongs? Against such things there certainly is no law!