Obeying His Commands Produces Joy
If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. - John 15:10-11
Remember times when you were a child and your mother said, “When I come back in this room you had better have it cleaned up,” and while she was gone you cleaned your room thoroughly; making the bed, even cleaning out from under the
bed, sweeping and straightening everything. Do you remember how you felt when she came back into your room and gave that smile of approval? That is what Jesus is talking about in this passage, except it is more than that.
There is a certain joy that is natural to us when we have done well, or someone has recognized our efforts. Our example above demonstrates that joy. The Greek word translated joy here is chara. It is very similar to the word used for a gift and it means calm delight. When we are doing our best and can see good results we have that certain sense of accomplishment that gives us satisfaction for having done well.
Then Jesus speaks of adding to our joy. He says, “I have told you this that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” It seems that he is telling us that there is a certain level of joy that comes naturally when we have done well, but he is adding his joy to that so that our joy is complete, or as full.
He appears to be telling us that when we live in the Spirit and fulfill his commands our joy will be raised to a higher level and we will be full of joy. This joy, this calm satisfaction, is what is so attractive in believers. People have observed the way Christians respond to stressful situations and said, “I don’t know what you have, but I want it.” That is the joy of the Lord.
Prayer: Lord, I tend to follow my own way instead of yours. Grant me the ability to walk in obedience so that your joy will be in me and my joy will be full. Amen
If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. - John 15:10-11
Remember times when you were a child and your mother said, “When I come back in this room you had better have it cleaned up,” and while she was gone you cleaned your room thoroughly; making the bed, even cleaning out from under the
bed, sweeping and straightening everything. Do you remember how you felt when she came back into your room and gave that smile of approval? That is what Jesus is talking about in this passage, except it is more than that.
There is a certain joy that is natural to us when we have done well, or someone has recognized our efforts. Our example above demonstrates that joy. The Greek word translated joy here is chara. It is very similar to the word used for a gift and it means calm delight. When we are doing our best and can see good results we have that certain sense of accomplishment that gives us satisfaction for having done well.
Then Jesus speaks of adding to our joy. He says, “I have told you this that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” It seems that he is telling us that there is a certain level of joy that comes naturally when we have done well, but he is adding his joy to that so that our joy is complete, or as full.
He appears to be telling us that when we live in the Spirit and fulfill his commands our joy will be raised to a higher level and we will be full of joy. This joy, this calm satisfaction, is what is so attractive in believers. People have observed the way Christians respond to stressful situations and said, “I don’t know what you have, but I want it.” That is the joy of the Lord.
Prayer: Lord, I tend to follow my own way instead of yours. Grant me the ability to walk in obedience so that your joy will be in me and my joy will be full. Amen
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