In the second part of his message on Joy as a Sign of the Spirit, Pastor Mike Plunket presents us two world views on joy that are counterfeits of the real, biblical Joy. The first one is well exemplified by the happier.com website, that tells you to attain a minimum list of conditions, like shelter and food, good relationships, a job and hobbies, and joy will follow. Basically, to find joy, be in control. The reality is, you can cover all the basics, and still be depressed. Also, the Fox book of martyrs contains dozens of examples of men and women who had none of the basics and much less, but knew Joy. Another world view is the Epicurean, in which the recipe for joy is detachment, from the world and your own inner being and desires. The catastrophic result of this philosophy of life is desensitization and dehumanization. But then there is Paul’s definition of Joy, put forth in Romans 5:1-11. Joy that is not tied to circumstances, but connected and relevant to them; it rejoices not for our sufferings, but in their midst. Joy that is not stagnant, but grows as we get closer, through spiritual maturity and the enlarging of our character, to the source of it, the person of the Holy Spirit. Life is a road trip where we find little joys; they are not the Joy, but signposts in the road that point us to the City of God. Let’s continue in our journey together.
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