9 As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. (John 15:9–11, NKJV)
The fruit of the Spirit includes joy (Galatians 5:22). Joy is the gladness and calm delight that results from being in harmony with God and His will. Full joy springs from keeping the commandments of Jesus, for by doing so, we abide in the love of God. Obeying Christ is living by the Spirit, which produces and sustains our joy. Combined with love, joy strengthens and secures our faith. Joy enables our long suffering (Colossians 1:11). Consider Paul’s letter to the Philippians, in which joy in Christ is thematic. Joy in Christ is exhibited in our prayers (1:4), in the progress of our faith (1:25), by our unity in Christ (2:2), by the sacrifice and service of our faith (2:17-18), in our fellowship with faithful workers for Christ (2:29-30), and in our brotherly affection (4:1). Christian friend, live a praise-filled life of joy. “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)
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