What is true Joy?

When we hear or read the word Joy, what’s the first thought that comes to mind? Happiness, satisfaction, a cheerful heart? A lot of people look at it as an emotion based on happy feelings. Let’s define the term and find out what it really means. 

The New Oxford American Dictionary describes Joy as: a feeling of great pleasure and happiness. 

The Greek word for Joy is Chará. It means: to rejoice. 

Another Greek word is Cháris. It means several things. Here are a few: favor, acceptance, a kindness granted or desired, a benefit, thanks, gratitude, grace. 

Jesus stated in the gospels that the joy he gives is a joy no man can take away from us. It’s an everlasting, abiding joy. That’s a wonderful reality. But what is God’s joy based on? 

Unlike human joy that’s based on happy feelings alone, true Christian joy has to be based on facts; facts that can’t be tossed to and fro based on our whimsical feelings. 

Reasons why we are to have joy 

Our names are written in heaven: Jesus speaking to his disciples said this in regards to evil spirits being subject to them through the power of God: “Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you, but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20). 

What joy that should bring to any believer! To know that your name has been written in God’s book. If it’s there, it can never be erased. 

The revelation of truth: In that same hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit and said, “I thank thee O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed then unto babes; even so Father; for it seemed good in your sight” (Luke 10:21). 

Jesus Christ rejoiced because it pleased the Father to reveal his secrets to the less noble and powerful in the world and has chosen to reveal his power to the lowly and humble. 

Obedience: Jesus said, “If you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love even as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:10,11). 

We experience Godly Joy when we obey the commands of the Lord. Knowing we have done what God has commanded us is a manifestation of his power operating in us; this should bring us inexpressible joy; knowing that God is with us. 

The hope of the Lord’s return: Jesus said, “And ye now therefore have sorrow, but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man takes from you.” (John 16:22). 

The believer has a blessed assurance that Jesus is preparing a place for us so that he can receive us unto himself. This truth should bring us great joy and anticipation. 

The joy in answered prayer: Jesus said, “Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you shall receive that your joy may be full.” (John 16:24). 

As a result of being a child of God, we have the divine right to petition the Lord for what we need. It’s a joy and privilege to have the right to ask, and even more of a joy to receive what we have asked for. This brings full joy (Hebrews 4:16). 

The joy of the Lord is a spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3). It’s a fruit of the Spirit that we must cultivate (Galatians 5:22). It’s a virtue that every believer has and must develop through obedience and holy living. Only then will true and full joy in Christ be realized. Christian joy’s bedrock has to be the truth of scripture. That’s the only way we can see it and grab on to it; especially when times are hard. This joy is strengthening and assists our faith in the Lord. This Joy is not an emotion that comes and goes. It’s an agent of the Holy Ghost that fills up the believer in his hour of need and reminds him of the blessed hope of his most glorious future! 

Paul said this way, “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4).