The Joy Of The Lord

by G. Jarvie, Glasgow | Category: General | Mar 1969

"The kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he that herein serveth Christ is well-pleasing to God, and approved of men" (Romans 14.17,18).

The kingdom of God is the rule of God among the people of God. When the word of God is willingly obeyed, then there is righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. This kingdom cannot be seen or entered apart from the new birth (John 3.3-5). The unrighteous cannot inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6.9-10). No thieves or covetous persons; no drunkards or revilers; no fornicators or idolaters have part in it.

The kingdom of God is seen positionally in the churches of God, and this is something we can rejoice in. Yet many dear fellow-believers in Christ are scattered in many different denominations and do not understand the truth of the kingdom of God. They lose much because of this:

"'Tis precious too, 0 God,

Thine eye should look upon

Thy scattered children here

United into one.

Lord, may Thy word for ever be

Our guide to perfect unity."

Obedience to the word of the Lord will bring believers together in churches of God, and these churches must be united in doctrine and practice in one Fellowship, showing forth the glorious truth of the kingdom of God. Obedience to the word of God is the important thing in the kingdom of God, and so those in the kingdom of God are baptized disciples (Acts 8.12).

But the kingdom of God has also a conditional side, and we must not lose sight of this. We may form part of the Fellowship which expresses the kingdom of God positionally, and yet fail to manifest the characteristics of the kingdom. It is possible for us to be in the kingdom of God, and yet know little of the presence of the King in our hearts.

What conditions should prevail in the kingdom? Righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit! If any one of these is lacking, then it is time for us to have a searching of heart. Let us not pretend to be, what we really are not. We do not commend the truth of God if we are joyless, or sharp, or critical, or unkind, however correct we may be in doctrine. Let us not be content with a position in the kingdom, if the characteristics of the kingdom are not found in our lives.

Righteousness and peace! These are inseparable companions. This poor sin-sick world has tried hard, from the beginning of time, to separate them. They want to have peace without righteousness, but this cannot be. They cannot be separated, for God has joined them together. They are the heritage of all who obey the Lord. Peace is the worthy companion of righteousness, always and everywhere

Joy completes this delightful trio, the joy of the Lord. In the hearts of all who love the Lord, and who love His saints, there is joy. How much we need to guard against anything that would rob us of it, for the joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8.10). Little faith will rob us of it. Let us count upon the faithfulness of God, and our own faith and joy will grow exceedingly. Let us love one another from the heart fervently, and then all unwise criticism and harsh speaking will cease, and peace and joy will fill our hearts.

When the remnant of Judah returned to Jerusalem, we read that "the joy of Jerusalem was heard afar off" (Nehemiah 12.43). What great days those were! Paul wrote in his captivity "Rejoice in the Lord alway: again I will say, Rejoice".

If joy is lacking in our spiritual service, then let us search our hearts for the cause. Let us not be satisfied with the positional expression of the kingdom of God, valuable though that is. Let the joy of the people of God be heard in every assembly, and then it will be noised abroad. We have nothing to learn about joy from this poor distressed world. Let our joy in the Lord be manifest to those around us, and many who see and hear will seek deliverance from the toils of sin, and will be drawn to Him who has put a new song into our mouths.

Some also, of our brethren and sisters in Christ, when they hear of the joy of the Lord among us, will desire to follow Him with us, in the kingdom of God - and the kingdom of God is righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

"Serve the LORD with gladness:

Come before His presence with singing.

Know ye that the LORD He is God:

It is He that hath made us, and we are His;

We are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,

And into His courts with praise." (Psalm 100.2-4).

G. Jarvie, Glasgow | Mar 1969
General