Join in the Joy
Through the years, I have frequently preached about joy. It is more than an emotion (although it includes emotion); rather, it is a settled attitude, a stable and sturdy approach to life that focuses us on the things that matter now and forever. Joy is much greater and much more powerful than happiness, which is event or circumstance driven. There is nothing wrong with happiness. It is certainly better than unhappiness. Also, we have different personalities. For example, my wife is happy-go-lucky. Of course, she has every reason to be, being married to me. However, not everyone can be married to me. We need something more substantial than happiness; that something is joy. (I will be using this opening paragraph for each of the brief messages in this series. The following material will change daily.)
Yesterday, we saw from Galatians 5:22-25 that God the Holy Spirit grows “the fruit of the Spirit” in us, including “joy.” Colossians 1:11 continues this encouraging thought. We should note the clear Trinitarian doctrine in the immediate context (verse 8, “Spirit”; verse 12, “Father”; and verse 13, “Son”). The particular ministry of strengthening us in general and in our joy specifically belongs to the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 3:16). Some people possess admirable “patience and longsuffering.” However, it is a distinctive mark of Christians to have “all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.” The combination of these traits is irrepressible but also seems impossible. As Luke 1:37 reminds us, “For with God nothing shall be impossible.” Patience and longsuffering (or endurance) do not seem to belong with joy; only the power of God makes this linkage possible. It is also encouraging to note the use of the word “walk” in verse 10; like Galatians 5:25, it denotes progress not perfection. One way that we can walk with joy is to practice “giving thanks” (verse 12). We can start by thanking God for our salvation; we can then certainly continue to think of reasons to be thankful. Joy promotes thankfulness, and thankfulness strengthens our joy.