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     The honorable citizen in Jesus kingdom is not only commanded to stop what is commonly called sins of commission such as lying, stealing, adultery, & etc, but he is to develop a foundation of character traits which ultimately govern his actions.  Of this fruit of the spirit, which is multi faceted, we considered love (agape), the first which the apostle Paul listed (Galatians 5:22-23).  The second is joy.  It is actually the atmosphere of the Christian regardless of outward circumstances.  This might seem unusual, but defining joy shows that few people have it.

     In the late 19th century, Frenchman, J.P. Milliet, said of the first century sculptures that the eyes often expressed sorrow – “a sort of hopeless stupor.”  This despair is further accentuated in the usage of the word “joy” by the ancients.  It was almost never used in pagan literature and never in reference to the condition of the human spirit.  Joy is almost uniquely reserved for expression of the Christian spirit in the New Testament and early Christian literature.  In the New Testament, joy is used 60 times and also translated rejoice 72 times.  Indeed, one might say it is the aura radiating from the Christian.  So what is this “joy?”

     People really get a hoot of light-heartedness from comedians, jokes and etc which distract us from daily living and its stresses.  Laughter for the moment is just that… momentary.  It is not joy.  Joy is closely related to peace in a person’s spirit.  It is a condition of the spirit which comes from confident knowledge.  In the case of a Christian, knowing God loves him, knowing his purpose is to honor God with his life and knowing his faithful life on earth will be met with eternal life in heaven on the last day.  Joy is the serene atmosphere that radiates from the Christian, permeating his life, and observed by those around him as “There is something different about him.”

     On the last night before Jesus was crucified, He said to His disciples they would be sad, but then referring to His coming resurrection, “your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you” (John 16:22).  Knowing Jesus was again alive and knowing His promise of eternal life would be the source of their joy, which no one can take away.  The apostle Paul heartily encouraged the Christians to rejoice – “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4).

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