# 6 "JOY" THE RIPEST FRUIT OF GRACE!

Psalm 16:11

"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

What do you find the most joy in? Our lips may quickly spout out one thing but would our hearts tell a different story? What proceeds from our lips is very important, but the real passion of our hearts is of monumental importance. Jesus made these two statements that should grab our attention. The first is, "There are people who draw near to me with their lips but their hearts are far from me (Matt 15:18)." And secondly, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matt 6:21)."

The bottom line is this. The grace of God makes all the difference in the heart and soul of the believer, even in their affections.This is especially seen in the Christian's life when the things he or she once sought after become as nothing and the seeking of Him and His righteousness becomes center stage. When this happens the Christian experiences true joy. It is then that the real meaning of life explodes, and our life's new disposition is dominated by joy in the Holy Ghost!

I agree with Mr. Spurgeon that joy is the ripest fruit of grace. Joy is the trademark of our Christian experience. It is etched in the heart of every true child of God. In Galatians chapter 5 Paul list certain marks that should be conspicuous and radiating from the believer. They are identified as the FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT! The fruits are love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

If someone were to ask you what it means to have biblical joy, how would you respond? Do we define Christian joy as someone just being excited or giddy?

Our text before us mentions that the joy that is alive and well, indwelling within the heart of the believer, is fullness of joy! It is a joy that is rooted and grounded in the awesome love of the Savior, a Savior who has broken into our lives, removed us from the path of eternal destruction, commanded light to shine out of darkness, and has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Cor 4:6).

Christian joy springs from our new life in the risen, glorified lamb of God! The Psalmist notes that it is sweet communion with the Triune God of heaven that explodes the fullness of joy in the heart of the believer.

"In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

John Piper defines what the essence of Christian joy is.

"The Gospel is the good news of our final and full enjoyment of the glory of God in the face of Christ. That this enjoyment had to be purchased for sinners at the cost of Christ’s life makes his glory shine all the more brightly. And that this enjoyment is a free and unmerited gift makes it shine more brightly still. But the price Jesus paid for the gift and the unmerited freedom of the gift are not the gift. The gift is Christ himself as the glorious image of God - seen and savored with everlasting joy."

Christian joy arises from a heart that has found its supreme satisfaction in the living, dying and Resurrection of the God-man! My heart breaks when I see people trying to find joy in cars, houses, or anything that this passing world offers instead of seeking to find that supreme satisfaction that can only be found in Christ!

If our joy in Christ is going to burn white hot it must be cross centered, saturated and running over, with daily endeavors to know Him and the power of His resurrection. This sounds wonderful doesn't it? If this is what is promised to the believer, why don't we experience this at all times? For way too many of us our joy ebbs and flows with the ocean's tides, and time and time again we have cry out with the apostle Paul,

Romans 7:24

"O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?"

We must remember we have a great enemy! He is real and he is out to steal, kill and destroy everything, and that includes your joy in Christ! It would be naive to think that the enemy of our faith in Christ doesn't want to demolish every trace of joy in Jesus. If joy in Christ is to be our daily portion we must fight, run, and do whatever it takes to drink from its life-giving sustenance. We must keep these precious words of our Savior in front of us at all times.

John 10:10

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."

What does it mean to have life more abundantly? The word in the Greek means to have something over and above, more than is necessary -to have something exceeding abundantly,something further, more, much more than all, more plainly more superior, more extraordinary, more surpassing, more uncommon, more eminent, more remarkable, more excellent, beyond measure.

Wow! That is what Jesus came to do and will do in a Christian's heart. To have life more abundantly is to have real solid joy in who Jesus is and what He has made us to be! Surly this is why Nehemiah exhorted the people with these words,

Nehimaih 8:10

"Then he said to them, "Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

To sustain a healthy joy in the God of our salvation we must cast ourselves upon the rock of ages,who is the fountain of all our joy! He is a anchor for our joy. He is the Vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. Joy is a gift just as grace is and we must seek Him daily to fill our hearts. Let us cry out with David,

Psalm 51:12

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit!

Dear brothers and sisters, it is only for now we see in a mirror dimly, but there is coming a day when we will see face to face. At this present, we only know in part; But one day when we ALL shall KNOW the JOY of knowing Him FULLY! OH! May God give us the grace to drink deeply upon the river of His pleasures!!

So much can can be said on this topic. One of my favorite books of all times is John Piper's book "How to fight for Joy, When I don't desire God". It's a must read and Lord willing in the future we may cover the themes of his book. It's my purpose in this blog entry to wet your appetite to ascertain real lasting joy in the one who loved us and purchased us with His own blood!