22 Jun Reigning Grace

In the book of Galatians, the Apostle Paul shares what he calls “the fruit of the Spirit:” love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control. (Gal. 5:22-23) You will note that Paul calls these “the fruit” and not “the fruits.” Why? Because the 9 fruits comprise a single whole: the character of Jesus Christ.

We, as believers, cannot produce this fruit on our own. These fruit are produced by the presence of the in-dwelling Holy Spirit in our lives. So, what should the fruit of joy look like in our lives? 

The Greek word for joy used by Paul is chara, which can also mean rejoicing, happiness, and gladness. Gotquestions.org argues that the joy listed by Paul can make itself known in and through us in several ways. Here are three of them:

• The joy of salvation
• The joy of spiritual maturity
• The joy of God’s presence

Yes, once we’ve accepted Christ as our Lord and Savior, we should be filled with the joy of knowing we are saved from sin, that we will grow to be more like Christ and that God is in us. But this joy isn’t just for us, or even mostly for us. This should should:

• Reign over my heart
• Rein in my heart
• Rain from my heart

Reign over my heart: This joy should rule my heart. Knowing what Jesus did for me, knowing what He is doing to me, and knowing that He is always with me, should be the knowledge that has total control of my heart, my actions, my words, my entire life.

Rein in my heart: This joy means my heart belongs to God. With this indescribable joy, my heart doesn’t have to recklessly pursue other means of joy as a horse on the loose. My heart’s desire will be Christ’s will for my life.

Rain from my heart: Jesus referred to “rivers of living water flowing from us.” It means much more than joy, but joy is one of things people will see pour from us and cover them. It is an infectious joy!

What about you? What is your heart condition? Jesus wants you to “let it reign, let it rein, let it rain!

Pastor Jerry Bader