How to be a Fruity Christian (Part 8)

As we continue to look at what true joy looks like, we must ask ourselves "How is true joy develped in the life of a human being?"  First, true joy only begins when Christ is invited to take over one's life completely.  Joy is an overflow of real, saving faith.  Jesus stated about Abraham, "Abraham saw My day (faith) and rejoiced."  Second, the fruit of the Holy Spirit is joy, and this joy can only be cultivated when we allow the Spirit of God to work in our life rather than quench Him (Acts. 13:52;Rom. 14:17).  Third, true joy is only tested and developed through suffering.  This statement may sound foolish, but when you read the book of Philippians, the life of Jesus, and even James 1:2 - "Consider it all joy when you fall into all sort of temptation and trials...", we clearly see that if God gave a Christian a life of complete ease on this earth, then we would not be able to understand what true joy truely looks like.  Fourth, true joy flows out of a committed prayer life (John 16:23-24).  And last, true joy is only experienced as we walk with Christ (John 16:20-22).  The prophet Habakkuk summed up real joy when he stated, "Even though nothing is going right and  life seems to be falling apart, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation!" (Hab. 3:17-18)  Until next time, let the joy of the Lord be your strength, as you walk closely with Him.