Scripture reference: John 15:1-11 (KJV) with the main emphasis on verse 11
[11] These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
Do you have true joy?
Many people believe the happiness the world sees is joy, but it’s not. The world is physical but true joy is spiritual, and it only comes from God. The only way the world will realize true joy is for Christians to go out and share it.
Jesus is speaking about the vine and the branches (John 15:1-8). The vine is the root and is what gives life. The branches are what produce the fruit. When the branches don’t produce fruit, He cuts them off. The Church of Jesus Christ is not producing fruit because if it was, we wouldn’t see all the crazy ideas in the world today. God’s Word tells us what is coming if the branches do not produce fruit.
Joy is very special and you need to have it. True joy comes from the heart. If you are born again and washed in the blood of the Lamb, that joy comes from the Holy Spirit that dwells within you.
There are three ways joy helps us:
The joy of success – This joy is not what the world thinks it is. It is not making a billion dollars, living in a mansion, or having everything the world thinks you should have. The joy of success comes from helping others and seeing successful results in what you are doing. What do we have we can share with someone? For example, our church finances belong to God and He commands us to use them to benefit others. If a church doesn’t do that, the people don’t see joy.
The joy of salvation – This joy comes from what someone bears for you. What did Jesus bear for you? The Cross at Calvary is what He bore for you. This joy gives you a deep sense of relief and safety. It means knowing your future is secure and your life has the ultimate meaning. Our lives have meaning if we are born again and we have value to Jesus when we share the Gospel of Christ. Too many people depend on the happiness of the world and that makes them miserable and worried. Jesus tells us not to worry because it is a waste of time. If you have the joy of salvation, you need to share it, so your time is not wasted. Joy, strength, and love all come from the Father through Jesus Christ. Share the gifts God blessed you with.
The joy in the sovereignty of God the Father – This is the deepest joy. God gives us the choice to spend eternity in Heaven or Hell. God doesn’t send any person to Hell; He gives us the choice. If we have the joy of salvation we will sin less, we will share more, and we will receive that ultimate eternity. It comes from loving that higher power, God. God loves you just for who you are. If you succeed in the world, you are seeking a reward from the world, but a good servant of God is working for the glory of God.
Do you have the true joy of God, or do you have what the world calls joy? The joy of our salvation begins in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Whosoever means everyone is important to God. Let God have his way in your life and you will have joy.