It is possible to have joy in Jesus. 

Joy is possible regardless of circumstance, trials, or tribulations.

Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus is the Savior of the world. Jesus is the Beginning and the End. 

Jesus is a Shepherd:

• He comforts 
• He leads 
• He restores
• He protects
• He provides
• He saves

“You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11)

The acronym (a word formed from the first letter or letters of the words) for “Joy in Jesus” spells out mankind’s spiritual relationship with Jesus.

JUSTIFICATION

Joy in Jesus is possible because of Justification.

Being in a right covenant relationship with God and being justified are spiritual blessings. 

What is Justification?

The Biblical definition of justification is the legal and formal acquittal from guilt by God; the pronouncement of the sinner as righteous.

God declares a sinner justified by faith in Jesus Christ. 

A person whom God justifies stands before God cleansed of sin, holy, and without blame because of the blood of Jesus.

(Romans 3:9 – 26; Romans chapter 4; Galatians 2:16; Galatians chapter 3)

Jesus sacrificed His life on the cross and shed His blood for my sin and for your sin. 

Jesus is a propitiation (Romans 3:25)

What is propitiation?

A simple definition of propitiation is – sin brings God’s wrath, Jesus sacrificing His life for the sins of the world satisfies God’s wrath; Jesus paid a debt that no man or woman could ever pay. He paid my sin debt. He paid your sin debt. 

OBEDIENCE

Joy in Jesus is possible when one has obedient faith.

Obedience to Jesus is a privilege and a choice. Jesus graciously offers the invitation to be in a covenant relationship with Him. 

One must be obedient to the faith:

• Acts 6:7
• Romans 1:5
• Romans 16:26

God gives spiritual blessings to those who have an obedient faith:

(Ephesians 1:1 – 14)

• Chosen
• Adoption
• Acceptance
• Redemption
• Forgiveness
• Wisdom of the mystery of His will (salvation for all mankind – Jew and Gentile)
• Inheritance
• Seal of the Holy Spirit

YIELD

Joy in Jesus is possible when one yields to His Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is a gift God gives to those who obey Him. 

“We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” (Acts 5:32)

What/Who is the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God dwelling (living inside) children of God. He is a part of the Godhead – God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. He is not a feeling. He is a Spirit.

How Does a Person Receive the Holy Spirit?

God gives the gift of the Holy Spirit to a believer when he/she is baptized for the remission of sins.

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38)

The purpose of baptism is for the forgiveness of sins.

At baptism, a sinner:

• Is buried (in water) with Christ, cleansed of sin by the blood of Jesus, arises to walk a new life (Romans 6)
• Receives the gift of God’s Holy Spirit; the Holy Spirit indwells (lives inside) him/her as a helper to live a righteous life and as a seal/guarantee of spiritual inheritance (Acts 2:38; Ephesians 1:13 – 14)

Acts is the history of the New Testament church. It shows how men and women were saved. Read how people were converted to Christ in the book of Acts:

• 3000 souls were saved and God added them to the church (Acts chapter 2)
• Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:26 – 40)
• Cornelius (Acts chapter 10)
• Lydia (Acts 16:11 – 15)
• Philippian Jailer (Philippians 16:16- 40)

IN CHRIST

It is possible to have Joy in Jesus when one is IN Christ.

Spiritual blessings are only IN Christ. You are IN Christ when you are born again.

No one receives physical blessings until they are born into the physical world.

No one receives spiritual blessings until they are born into the spiritual Kingdom of God.

• In Christ (Ephesians 1:3)
• In Christ (Galatians 3:26 -27)
• Into Christ (Romans 6:3 – 4)

NOT UNTO YOURSELVES

Joy in Jesus is possible because of the sacrifice of Jesus and your faith in Him to save you. 

Jesus saves. There is nothing that any person can do to save himself or herself. No amount of work or service saves a sinner. A sinner is saved by obedient faith in Jesus.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8)

JESUS

Joy in Jesus is possible because Jesus loves you. 

Jesus is:

• Savior
• Counselor
• Shepherd
• High Priest
• Son of God

EQUIP

Joy in Jesus is possible when one is/being equipped in the holy word of God.

God gave the church teachers and evangelists to equip the saints for the work of ministry for unity and maturity of the body. (Ephesians 4:11 – 14)

Investing time in the study of God’s word, participating in the church assembly, praying, being in fellowship with Christians, and memorizing Scripture helps to strengthen believers in faith, knowledge, perseverance, and to stand firm against Satan.

SIN

Joy in Jesus is possible when a person is forgiven of their sin.

All have sinned. I sin, you sin. We all need Jesus to cleanse us of sin.

…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23)

What is Sin?

The Biblical definition of sin is missing the mark. God has set a way of life or a mark for mankind to live. When we sin we miss the mark. Sin is lawlessness – disobeying God’s law. 

Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. (1 John 3:4)

UNDERSTAND

Joy in Jesus is possible when one understands God and His word.

Understanding the word of God starts with the heart and mind. One must be willing to accept God’s word as authority and be humble in accepting and obeying His truths.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5 – 6)

SALVATION

Joy in Jesus is possible when one is saved from sin and reconciled to God through Jesus Christ. 

God loves you and He wants you to spend eternity in heaven with Him.

• Faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17)
• Believe – Jesus said “he who believes and is baptized will be saved, he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:15 – 16)
  • Belief + Baptism = Salvation
• Repent (Luke 13:3)
• Confess (Romans 10:9 – 10)
• Be Baptized (Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16)

Given all of the spiritual blessings IN Christ Jesus. Joy is possible in Him!

“The joy of the Lord is your strength”  (Nehemiah 8:10)