A joyful life in Christ is one that is characterised by 'waiking by the Spirit'. it is disciplined enough not to gratify the desires of the flesh.
It is one in which the fruit of the Spirit is made visible. In His letter to the Galatians, Paul listed the essential parts of the fruit of the Spirit. Oftentimes, I hear Christians mis-read this part of Paul‘s letters to the Galatians as the twig (plural) of the Spirit, but it clearly says the fruit (singular) of the Spirit.
The singular sense of the word 'fruit' suggests that the fruit of the Spirit is just one but it consists of all the listed virtues which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control
Galatians Chapter 5 verse 22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
It is a complete package of virtues that should be evidentin our lives as God's children.
Of particular importance is the fact that joy is mentioned as the second element of the fruit of the Spirit.
This again implies that the life of a Christian is such that should constantly radiate the joy of the Lord as much as it does not preclude self-control from being an essential aspect.
Christ told His disciples to be joyful because their names are written in heaven. This is the right reason to be joyful as people of God.
Nehemiah told the people of God that the Joy of the Lord is their strength
If this is true, why should God's people not be joyful?
To the Romans, Paul says 'there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus'. If there is no condemnation, then the converse is true: their is justification and this calls for constant joy.
The lyrics of the hymn written by TC. O'Kane entitled
'There stands a rock‘
emphasizes that the hope of the Christian is on the rock that shall Stand forever though some people build their hopes on the ever-drifting sand while some build theirs on their fame or their treasure or their land.
Indeed, most people often think that these transient items give joy but the wisdom from above instructs us otherwise.
A number of Christians often put up sad countenances thinking that a true Christian life is one devoid of joy.
There is certainly a world of difference between being self-controlled and being sad.
A self-controlled life is one which is based on sound principles of love, justice, mercy and faithfulness in obedience to the will of the Master.
It is one which puts God first and seeks as a priority, His Kingdom and righteousness. From this viewpoint, Christians ought to be the happiest people on earth.
A sad life is one without Christ. Jesus came to give us abundant life. An abundant life in Christ is certainly not a sad one. In the beatitudes, our Lord pronounced blessedness (or happiness) on us when we do His glorious will.
He succinctly encapsulates the beatitudes in Matthew 5:12 when He declares:
“Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven ...... ’'
There is no better reason to be joyful in this world than the truth that we have a great reward in heaven which has been made possible by Christ's redemptive work. Praise God!
Life is more joyful,
when in God we trust
it is more beautiful
when He’s working in us.
It is more pleasurable,
when we let God lead
it is more bearable
when His laws we heed.
Life is more joyful,
when in God we trust
it is more delightful
when He controls us.
It is more enjoyable,
when God shows the way
it is more gratifying
when to Him we pray.
Life is more joyful,
when we are still
it is more fruitful
when we do His will!
