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First, it was taught by Jesus. “Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets” (Luke 6:22-23). When we are persecuted because of our belief in Christ, Jesus said “We will have a reward in heaven.”
Second, it comes from the Holy Spirit, not our own efforts or imagination or family upbringing. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness” (Galatians 5:22).
Third, it comes from belonging to the Kingdom of God. “The Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17).
Fourth, it comes through faith from believing in God. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).
Fifth, it comes from knowing Jesus as Lord. “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice” (Philippians 4:4)!
Sixth, it comes from the growing and building that tribulation can have on our lives. “We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope” (Romans 5:3-4).
Our joy cannot be based on our earthly circumstances, for they are not in our control and are only temporary. Our hope and our joy must be based on something more permanent. Our joy must be based on God and our hope in our home with Him in heaven.
Brad Tolbert
Monticello church of Christ
Monticello, AR