We have already discussed a pure heart, a caring heart and now we want to discuss a joyful heart. Philippians 1:25 states:
“And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith.”
Do we have joy of faith or in our faith? If not we have not grown enough to understand why a joyful heart is necessary or why our faith should give us a joyful heart. Self-made men have great joy in their success. Self-educated men rejoice in their attainments or accomplishments. As Christians we should increase our faith and joy in our faith because God is in control of our lives if we are walking with Him.
Great joy comes to those who put God first in their lives.
In the following verses what gives or brings joy:
After reading the above verses we should be able to determine to what extent we wish to enter into faith and duty and therefore get to a joyful heart. We have seen that we:
But __________ the _______ ______ in your _________: and _____ _________ always to ______ an __________ to _________ man that __________ you a __________ of the _______ that is in you with ________ and _______.”
10. We need to be ready to excel in the Christian life – I Corinthians
9:24 – “Know ye not that they which _____ in a _______ _____ all, but
one receiveth the prize? ___ ____, that ye ______ ________.”
We have seen where we should be joyful in the Word, joyful in afflictions and trials, joyful to share the reason for our hope, and how it takes running like in a race to attain the joy of our faith and the reward for doing so.
THOUGHT QUESTION:
Is it possible to be a Christian without having a joyfully heart?
Explain your answer.
Beverly Rainwater
(RainwaterB3@aol.com)