The third week of Advent is typically associated with the theme
of joy. Of the four themes, love, joy, and peace are all listed in the Fruit of
the Spirit in Galatians 5:22, and Romans 15:13 ties together hope, joy, and
peace: “May the God of hope fill you will all joy and peace in believing, so
that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope” (ESV). The truth
is that we cannot manufacture hope, love, joy, or peace out of our own efforts.
We are dependent on the work of the Holy Spirit within us.
The world tries and fails to mimic these traits, especially
at Christmas. We are told it’s the “most wonderful time of the year,” and yet it
is often filled with stress, anxiety, discord, and sorrow. We can wish for and
look forward to changes in the New Year, but that is not the same as the hope
that is firmly rooted in Christ. We can make an extra effort to be kind to
others, but as Paul wrote, “If I give away all I have… but have not love, I
gain nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:3). We can pursue activities that make us
happy, but true joy is found only because of our relationship with Christ. We
can try to create soothing circumstances and relationships, but true peace is
out of our control.
- “According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3b). “Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word” (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17).
- “In this is love, not that we have loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins… We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:10, 19).
- “Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times in every way” (2 Thessalonians 3:16a). “For He Himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in His flesh the dividing wall of hostility” (Ephesians 2:14).
- “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:11). “Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask and you will receive, that your joy may be full” (John 16:24).
If this fruit grows out of our relationship with God, we won’t
produce it by trying harder but by growing closer to Him. As we spend time in
the Word and in prayer, we will be transformed by the renewal of our minds
(Romans 12:2), and we will be conformed to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29). As
we abide in the vine, in relationship with Christ, then the Fruit of the Spirit
will become evident in our lives. “As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself,
unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me” (John
15:4b).
I can think of nothing that will create greater joy, peace,
hope, and love than drawing close to the One who created me, redeemed me, and chose
me to be part of His family for eternity.
“Though you have not
seen Him, you love Him. Though you do not now see Him, you believe in Him and
rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory” (1 Peter 1:8).
© 2017 Dawn
Rutan. Unless otherwise indicated all images are copyright free from
pixabay.com.
