Lord’s Day, Vol. 4 No. 14
The Fruit of the Spirit is Joy
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Biblical joy is a cheerfulness, a calm delight and gladness in the heart of God’s children as the Holy Spirit’s fruit. It is the joy that comes with living a victorious Christian life according to God’s will. Jesus taught that obedience to God’s Word brings biblical joy in John 15:10-11 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. 11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
This spiritual fruit is from God, of a heavenly nature and power (cf. Rom 14:17, 1 Thessalonians 1:6). It comes in its season, as we walk in the Spirit, endeavouring by God’s help through prayer to make progress spiritually. We regulate our lives and conduct according to God’s Word as the Apostle Paul taught in Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
The verb “walk” is a command; it appeals to the will. We are to do our part to obey God’s Word. And we are to do so continuously by cultivating a godly habit. The fruit of the Spirit is contrasted with the works of the flesh. If we walk in the Spirit, we will not fulfil the lust of the flesh. Joy comes as a gift of the Holy Spirit when the believer chooses to say “no” to sin at each temptation that comes his way.
This joy is not the “entertainment-type” of happiness that this world offers. To be entertained for 2 hours in a comedy in the movies, we might be mistaken to think, is a joy. Biblical joy is not the entertainment kind of happiness.
We lived in this era of the television, big screen entertainment, and the internet. The world who do not have true joy go for such entertainment. They look for a substitute. It is not a lasting alternative. Even the church today has caught the entertainment bug. Worship services are transformed into mega entertainment shows.
Entertainment began as silent movies in the Pre-World-War I era, as an escape from the troubles during times of war and economic depression. It seeks to replace the living and true God, Jesus Christ, the source of true joy in America, a Christian nation. Remember Charlie Chaplin (16 April 1889 – 25 December 1977), the English comic actor and director of silent films. It is interesting how the silent movies were termed “the American Tower of Babel” that gels the migrants coming to America speaking different languages. Inadvertently, it provides an escape from confronting a life without knowing God and the true state of our depravity.
Why did he go into the entertainment industry? Here is the conversation he had with his Christian mother who attended the church of Rev. F.B. Meyer in London. His father was a drunkard. It caused the family to be always in debt and poverty. This excerpt is taken from “Charlie Chaplin, My Autobiography”, pages 286-289:
When I returned from Hollywood [to England], I dropped by to see Mother… “Well, what do you think of your son and all this nonsense?” I said whimsically.
“It’s wonderful, but wouldn’t you rather by yourself than living in this theatrical world of unreality?”
“You should talk,” I laughed. “You’re responsible for this unreality.” She paused, “If only you had put your talent in the service of the Lord – think of the thousands of souls you could have saved.”
I smiled. “I might have saved souls but not money.” What spiritual blindness!
The song “Smile” in Chaplin’s movie became an instant hit in America…an illusion of how men can be happy without God!
Smile
Tho’ your heart is aching, Smile
Even though it’s breaking,
When there are clouds in the sky – You’ll get by,
If you Smile through your fear and sorrow,
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You’ll see the sun come shining through – For you.
Light up your face with gladness,
Hide ev’ry trace of sadness,
Altho’ a tear may be ever so near,
That’s the time you must keep on trying,
Smile – What’s the use of crying,
You’ll find that life is still worthwhile,
If you just smile.
Observe how subtle are the words of the song. It is a sentimental appeal to get by life without God by self-consolation or self-delusion. Those who entertain others are often lonely themselves. Biblical joy is not the entertainment kind of happiness.
Joy in the believer’s life comes when the works of the flesh are mortified (put to death), the motions of sin curtailed when the Holy Spirit is given the right conditions to bear fruit. It is the believer’s responsibility in cultivating the right spiritual condition in his life to bear fruit, Galatians 5:24 “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” May God’s people be willing to devote time in personal devotion, worship, prayer, bible study and Christian fellowship. Amen.
Yours lovingly,
Pastor Lek Aik Wee