Joy in Life

"For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking,
but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."

Romans 14:17

Two men worked together in their business. One said to the other, "I've noticed one thing about your life, that you always seem to be a joyful person. Where do you get all that joy?" The man answered, "There was a time when I really didn't have any joy in my life. I was always depressed and frustrated. Nobody really liked to be around me. That all changed when Jesus Christ came into my life." The man replied with a laugh, "So you got religion?" He answered, "Oh, I've had religion that never made a difference. What changed my life was a personal relationship with Christ. He filled my life with joy."

Joy can still be found in the kingdom of God. It is a fruit of the Holy Spirit working in our lives (Galatians 5:22). The kingdom of God is the rule or reign of God. It is a spiritual kingdom. To enter God's kingdom, we must be born of the Spirit (John 3:3). Those who are born again have faith in Jesus Christ (1 John 5:1). The result of that faith relationship with God through Christ is "peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."

Do you have joy in your life? Joy in life is still about our relationship with God. When the Spirit of Christ comes into our lives, He brings joy. Sin may temporarily rob us of that joy, but when we confess our sins to God and turn from them, the joy returns. After the psalmist David sinned against God, he confessed his sin in prayer. He said to God, "Restore to me the joy of Your salvation" (Psalm 51:12). Joy in life is God's will for you.

Prayer: God, forgive our sins. Restore unto us the joy of Your salvation, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.