"That Your Joy May Be Full"

"These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full." (John 15:11)

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary describes happiness as "a state of well-being and contentment: a pleasurable or satisfying experience."  It gives a similar definition to "joy."  This is a grave mistake.  Joy and happiness are not the same.  Oswald Chambers once said, "Happiness is based on what happens.  Joy is not."  Humanity can only be happy when life is "pleasurable or satisfying."

In any person's life there are seasons of happiness and sadness.  Joy, on the other hand, is a fruit of the Holy Spirit; and if I am full of the Holy Spirit, full of His Breath/Word, every day will be full of His joy.  "Righteousness, peace, and joy" are "in the Holy Spirit," in nothing and no one else.  Right in the middle of the passage where Jesus declares, "Abide in me....You are my friends if you do whatever I command you....If the world hates you, know that it hated Me before it hated you....If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you," is Jesus' statement, "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full."  How can Jesus possibly speak of joy, and at the same time say, "the world hates you," and, "will also persecute you?"  For the unconverted, this is nothing but contradiction.  For the obedient lovers of Jesus Christ-------------------------------- nothing but remaining joy. 

Father, in Jesus' name, thank You for Your Joy which remains.  Amen.
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"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2