THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT – Part 2
Galatians 5:22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."
Joy is the second in the cluster of nine. This is not human joy produced by the circumstances or a product of the flesh. It is joy that finds its origin in the Spirit that indwells the believer. It is a gift.
John 15:11 "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full."
Psalms 51:12 "Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit."
David had lost his joy over the sinful act of adultery with Bathsheba. He is praying in this psalm that he might regain the joy of his salvation.
There is nothing to compare with the joy of salvation that the believer has when everything is right between him and his Lord.
One of the ways that we know that something has gone wrong in our walk with the Lord is our joy is lost.
Philippians 1:25 "And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;"
Philippians 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice."
The most joy-filled Christian that you know has found the secret of walking in the Spirit. Many times the way to regain lost joy is to crucify the flesh.
Galatians 5:24 "And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts."
Do you still have the joy of your salvation? Are you walking in the Spirit so that joy is produced in your life by the Holy Spirit?
May the Lord bless these words to our hearts!
In Christ,
Bro. White
