The Joy of and in the Holy Spirit
The joy of the Lord Who is the Person of the Holy Spirit is best understood and grasped in the facts that He was sent by Jesus to give us power to live or die, bring conviction of sin, comfort and consolation when required, and guide us into all Truth.
Early Christians knew Who He is and what to expect because Jesus went to great lengths to teach this to His disciples. After His coming during Pentecost (fifty days after the resurrection of Jesus – 40 spent on earth and 10 days after His ascension), a new joy became part of the lives of Christians.
Joy was an essential part of His personality as it is God the Father and Jesus the Son. Joy is second of nine “fruits of the Spirit” Paul listed in Galatians 5: 22-23
“And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 13: 52
“for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Romans 14: 17
“And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 1 Thessalonians 1: 6-7
Reminder to Christians: Absence of joy is a strong indicator we are not abiding in the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. Time in the Word and time on our knees is the best way I fund to rekindle the Flame.
Joy and New Testament Saints – They found His joy and kept it—so can we!
Examples from the lives and teachings of New Testament saints.
The Apostle Paul
‘For me to live is Christ and to die is gain…Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith,” Philippians 1: 21, 25
“But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.” Philippians 2: 17-18
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” Philippians 4: 4
James the half-brother of Jesus and leader of the first Christian church in Jerusalem
“Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” James 1: 2-3
The Apostle Peter
“who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith…may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1: 5-9
Future Joy Prophesied by Isaiah
In chapter 55, Isaiah is prophesying about what the future or millennial kingdom will look like for Jews who come to know their Messiah – Jesus. He wrote before the northern kingdom was destroyed and overrun by the Assyrians in 722 BC. Israel would endure much hardship during their remaining years because of their sin and disobedience of God. But this was His promise to them that He would not forget them but, through Christ, restore them in the future.
“For you will go out with joy and be led in peace; the mountains and the hills will break into shouts of joy before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” Isaiah 55: 12
Christians, I have given you all the Holy Spirit has given me to teach on this marvelous subject too many of us do not understand so we cannot express it to the lost. I hope He has or will use these words to introduce or re-introduce you to His joy—the Joy of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. To know and experience His joy as I said at the beginning is not a game-changer, it is a life-changer!
For those who continue to reject the Holy Spirit’s attempts to bring you to salvation and into the joy of His presence, my prayer is today is the day you surrender to Jesus as Savior and allow the Holy Spirit to make Him Lord of your life.
For Christ’s sake,
