Fruit of the Holy Spirit Part II ( Joy & Peace ) B. JOY - 2. Joy is also a command. Be joyful always (1 Thessalonians 5:16). Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice (Philippians 4:4). We must decide to rejoice regardless of the circumstances, and regardless of whether we feel like it. Our joy does not depend on the circumstances. It rests on our relationship with the Father. We can have joy, no matter what the circumstances, because we are the adopted sons and daughters of our Father in Heaven and we know that He loves us and desires our companionship. It is because He has given us new birth unto a living hope (1 Peter 1:3) that we can be joyful (1 Peter 1:8-9). There is a song that says about joy, the world didnt give it and the world cant take it away. Thats good news. Jesus wants us to have the full measure of his joy (John 17:13). He wants our joy to be complete (John 15:11, 16:24). Paul desired that the joy of the Philippians would overflow (Philippians 1:26). Peter speaks of inexpressible and glorious joy (1 Peter 1:8). We find joy by being in the presence of the Father. In thy presence is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11 KJV). You have made him glad with the joy of your presence (Psalm 21:6). Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). As we pray we acknowledge our relationship with the Father and come into His presence. Giving thanks is crucial. In any situation we can decide whether to give thanks or to complain. Complaining brings misery and giving thanks brings joy. The joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10). If we lack joy, there is something lacking in our walk with the Lord, and we will not have the strength he wants us to have. Paul prayed that the Colossians would be strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father (Colossians 1:11-12). Joy is directly related to several other aspects of the fruit of the Spirit: Love (Psalm 31:7), peace (Romans 14:17), faith (Philippians 1:25; see 1 Peter 1:8), and patience (Colossians 1:11-12). After the disciples had been flogged by the Sanhedrin, they left rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name (Acts 5:41). When Paul and Barnabus were in Pisidian Antioch, the Jews stirred up persecution against them and expelled them from the region; and the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:50-52). We rejoice in our sufferings (Romans 5:3). Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds (James 1:2). We do not enjoy the trials, but we recognize that they are part of a process by which God is teaching us and shaping us to become the person he wants us to be, and we take joy in the fact that he cares enough about us to want to shape us. We can indeed rejoice always and give thanks in all circumstances because we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who are the called according to his purposes (Rom 8:28). We are in a win-win situation! A look at the acts of the sinful nature makes it clear that none of them involve true joy. The more we find the genuine joy of living the Spirit-led life, the less we will seek the false gratifications of the acts of the sinful nature. C. PEACE - 3 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid (John 14:27). God is the God of peace (Philippians 4:9). Peace, eirene, Strongs #1515, is translated one, peace, quietness, rest. Strong suggests that it may be derived from a verb meaning to join. Peace is crucial. The one who is at peace can have joy, can be patient, can be self-controlled, etc. The one who has no peace is prone to yield to every kind of impulse from the flesh. The one who is at peace can hear clearly from God; the one who has no peace is confused by every kind of static. We need to look at several aspects of peace. 1. Peace as the result of right authority in force. Jesus is the Prince of Peace. But in Revelation chapter 19 we see him coming as a warrior, leading the hosts of heaven. Even when he came to earth in Nazareth 2,000 years ago, his coming was a frontal attack on the enemys kingdom (Luke 11:20). 1 John 3:8 tells us that the reason Jesus came was to destroy the devils work. In the world today there are two kingdoms: the kingdom of darkness and the kingdom of God (Colossians 1:13). There can be no genuine peace between them. What fellowship can light have with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14). This is why Jesus made the startling statement, Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace on the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword (Matthew 10:34). True peace can come only when satan is completely overthrown and the New Jerusalem is established. In each individual believer there is, as we have pointed out above, a state of warfare between the sinful or flesh nature and the Holy Spirit. It is only as the Holy Spirit obtains control over our spirit, soul and body that we can find true inner peace. The enemy would tempt us to think that all is well and that there is no need to do battle, and that temptation is insidious and attractive. But we need to remember Jeremiahs warning against those who Dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. Peace, peace they say when there is no peace (Jeremiah 8:11). In this sense, real peace in a persons life is evidence that the Holy Spirit is in control of his life, and that the influences of the sinful nature have been overcome and cast out. It is the fruit of a Spirit-led life. Great peace have they who love your law (Psalm 119:165). Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee (Isaiah 26:3 KJV). 2. Peace as unity and harmony among believers. How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity (Psalm 133:1). Jesus final prayer before he died was I pray also for those who will believe in me... that all of them may be one... May they be brought to complete unity (John 17:20-23). A number of Scriptures speak of this aspect of peace. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one [Jews and Gentiles] and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility... (Ephesians 2:14). It was he [Christ] who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare Gods people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-13).Make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose (Philippians 2:2). For since there is still jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? (1 Corinthians 3:3). God is not a God of disorder, but of peace (1 Corinthians 14:33). 3. Peace as freedom from anxiety. Scripture tells us in many ways not to be anxious. And it tells us how to avoid anxiety. The key is to set our hearts and minds on things above and not on earthly things (Colossians 3:1-2). Do not worry, saying what shall we eat? or what shall we drink? or what shall we wear?... But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well (Matthew 6:31). Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again, rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:4-7). Philippians 4:4-7 gives us a strategy for finding this kind of peace, which involves several aspects of the fruit of the Spirit: Be joyful. Rejoice in the Lord always. Our joy is in the Lord. Be gentle. Let your gentleness be evident to all. Remember that the Lord is always near. He is an ever-present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). Do not be anxious about anything. Pray. In everything present your requests to God. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to pray continually. Be thankful. With thanksgiving. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, Give thanks in all circumstances. Rest in Gods peace. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Again, this kind of peace does not rest in or depend on the circumstances. It goes beyond the circumstances. We can achieve it in all circumstances. It transcends understanding. It recognizes that What is seen is temporary but what is unseen is eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18). The circumstances are temporary; Gods character, his faithfulness, his promises are eternal. When in the natural there seems to be no peace, we can find the peace of God which goes beyond the natural. The peace of God is not a quiet, gentle thing which makes you feel good when things are going well. It is a strong gyroscope which keeps you on course and sustains you when everything seems to be falling apart. Indeed, Philippians uses a military metaphor, when it says the peace of God will guard your heart and mind. The image is that of an armed soldier or body of soldiers, patrolling an area and standing guard to protect it and to repel all invaders. If the circumstances seem impossible and overwhelming, we need to fix our eyes on the God who is greater than the circumstances. When Elishas servant saw their city surrounded by enemy troops the circumstances looked very bad. But Elisha said those who are with us are more than those who are with them. Then he opened his servants eyes so that he could see the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha (2 Kings 6:16-17). To the Israelites Goliath seemed huge, but David saw that God was greater and that the battle is the Lords (1 Samuel 17:47).King Jehoshaphat said, We have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us, but Gods prophet said, Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but Gods (2 Chronicles 20:12, 15). No matter how big our problems may seem, God is always bigger. Nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:37). No circumstances are too difficult for God to handle. When we focus on the greatness and faithfulness of God, rather than on our physical circumstances, we can find the peace that transcends understanding. This aspect of peace is related to the first; when we recognize that the right authority of God is in force we need not fear or be anxious. Psalm 46:1-3 declares that God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way, and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters quake and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. In the midst of an earthquake, when the mountains fall into the sea and the sea roars and foams, when everything around us seems to be falling apart, we can stand steadfast trusting in our God who is far above all these disturbances. When everything is being shaken, we focus on the Kingdom that cannot be shaken (Hebrews 12:28). That is the peace of God.
Posted on: Mon, 25 Aug 2014 09:43:43 +0000
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