Episode 2
The Rocky Place
It is at least interesting that the fruit of the Spirit of Joy is positioned between Love and Peace. Could it be coincidental that we must find love which comes before joy in order to find peace in our lives?
When and from what sources do you find joy? Is it in a job well done? From your career, hobby, family, possessions or good fortune?
This word, JOY, in the Bible and from the Greek language in which it was written, is ‘chara’, (pronounced, khar-ah’), means joy, delight, gladness, a source of joy. The picture is “to extend favor, lean towards, be favorably disposed”. More properly, it means the awareness of God’s grace and favor. Joy is found when God’s grace is recognized.
Read with me over the coming episodes, examples of what the scriptures say about JOY.
“The one sown with seed on the rocky places, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy”. (Matthew 13:20).
What is the source of joy in this one? So we can get a better understanding of this verse, let’s look at the complete parable of the sower:
“Listen then to the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one sown with seed beside the road. The one sown with seed on the rocky places, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution occurs because of the word, immediately he falls away. And the one sown with seed among the thorns, this is the one who hears the word, and the anxiety of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. But the one sown with seed on the good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces, some a hundred, some sixty, and some thirty times as much.” (Matthew 13:18-23)
The source of joy in this one is the hearing of the word of the kingdom!
The gospel is the “good news” because it contains the exceedingly wonderful message of God’s redemption of sinful humanity through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. The gospel is the heart, the central core of Christian preaching.
The gospel is good news because in it we find God’s promise of forgiveness from sin. John testified that Jesus is “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world!” (John 1:29; see also Luke 24:46–47; Isaiah 53:4–6; Acts 13:38; Hebrews 9:28). Through the gospel, we receive God’s power to live a new life in the righteousness of Jesus Christ.
The gospel is good news because “to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God” (John 1:12–13).
Everyone who believes in the gospel and submits to its demands receives new life in Jesus Christ. We are adopted into God’s family (Romans 8:14–17; Galatians 3:26). We are “born of the Spirit” (John 3:5–8) and receive the “gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38; see also John 7:37–39), who guarantees our heavenly inheritance (Ephesians 1:13–14).
The gospel is the greatest love story ever told (John 15:13). What could be more excellent news than its promise of eternal life in Jesus Christ?: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”
There are many who hear the Gospel and initially are filled with joy over this Good News. But because they do not understand it, the evil one is able to come and snatch away what has been sown in his or her heart.
It is because a person has no firm root in themselves that when affliction or persecution occur, as they will come, the joy of the word will immediately fall away.
But if you hold firm to this Good News, take it into in your heart, your mind and incorporate it into your life, it will produce the fruit of righteousness in your life. You will be made into a new creation and your life will begin to produce the fruit of the Spirit of God which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. You will find yourself in right standing with God and with others.
You can hear the word of the kingdom and take it casually, and it will fade away, and your life will resume its dreadful trek. Or you can engage the word of the kingdom and find a new life, full of purpose, meaning and hope!
It is your choice. Begin to pray and read and study the word. Make it your own. Become a child of God.
Choose wisely and prosper!
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
PREVIOUS: Joy, Episode 1 – The Maji and The Christ Child.
NEXT: Joy, Episode 3 – A Hidden Treasure.
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