Galatians 5:22-26 (New American Standard Bible)²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. ²⁴Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. ²⁶Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.

Good Morning.

Compare ‘n Contrast. . . remember when you did that in your grammar class? Paul has just given us a list of the ‘acts of the sinful nature’ in the preceding verses in Galatians 5. . . (were you surprised to see selfish ambition, dissension, discord, and jealousy on there?)  And then, contrast that list with that which is produced by the Spirit in us. . . fruit.  I’ve been thinking about why Paul chose “fruit” to describe the acts of the Spirit, and I believe there are several reasons.  Fruit is the product of something that happens organically and naturally on a tree, and is symbolic of life.  It is not made or manufactured. Trees flourish from sun and rain, and naturally bear fruit.  Christians who stay open to the Spirit working in and around them flourish similarly.

Let’s take a look:

Love ~ Are you a loving person—oh, not just your family and friends,   >how about your neighbor or fellow employee who is not so loveable? The Greek word Paul uses here is agape…I like this—“It means that no matter what a man may do to us by way of insult or injury or humiliation we will never seek anything else but his highest good.  It is therefore a feeling of the mind as much as of the heart; it concerns the will as much as the emotions.  It describes the deliberate effort—which we can only make with the help of God—never to seek anything but the best even for those who seek the worst of us.” William Barclay

Joy ~ Let’s explore this enchanting subject, shall we? Joy is at the heart of God Himself, and it is part of God’s plan for human beings.  That said, I think the subject defies a specific definition, though I love this: “Joy is a choice.  It is a matter of attitude that stems from one’s confidence in God—that He is at work, that He is in full control, that He is in the midst of whatever has happened, is happening, and will happen.”  Laugh Again, Chuck Swindoll

My observations on joy ~> it is not about personality or temperament-  I’ve heard people say,  ‘Oh, it’s easy for you—it’s just your  personality, you’re just bubbly-‘  No!

~>joy must be experienced in the moment … not tomorrow~  “This is the day the Lord has made,  I will rejoice and be glad in it.”  Psalm 118.24     ‘Learning to live in the present moment is part of the path of joy.’ Sarah Ban Breathnach

~>joy is not dependent on circumstances, despite what we think!

Consider with me these Scriptures:     “The joy of the Lord is my strength.” Nehemiah 8.10.  Jesus said, “I have told you this so that my joy will be in you and that your joy may be complete.” John 15.11 What did He tell them? “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.  Now remain in my love.” John 15.9,10  How do we remain in His love?  Obedience to God’s Word, and letting the Spirit lead us; after all, the nine gifts of the Spirit all find a home in Jesus!

You know, Oprah runs the topic of happiness in her magazine, with great colorful photo spreads, but do not be confused, joy is so much greater than happiness, as happiness is fleeting.  I love what the old preacher, Charles Spurgeon, had to say—“That word joyful is a very sweet and clear one.  Happiness is a very dainty word, but yet it is somewhat insecure because it begins with a ‘hap,’ and seems to depend on a chance which may happen to the soul.  We say “happy-go-lucky,” and that is very much the world’s happiness.  It is a kind of thing that may hap and may not hap.  But there is no hap in the fruit of the Spirit that is joy.  When we are joyful or full of joy, and that of the best kind, we are favored indeed.  No man takes this joy from us, and a stranger intermeddles not within it.  It is a celestial fruit, and earth cannot produce its like.”

Oh, there is so much we can say, precious friends, about joy…true joy!  But that last line above says it well—earth cannot produce joy, it is wrapped up in the heart of God.  So, let’s seek to know him, and let his Spirit thrive within us, and produce the fruit that is JOY!  Really. . . let's choose joy.

AMEN

Christine