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Grace is the Root-Joy Series #5


Roots run deep.
So does grace.
Deeper than we often think.

In “Surprised by Joy” I said:

“...Grace should always be unexpected because it’s always undeserved.  And grace is always reason for joy!”

I didn’t realize the depth of that statement.  But, God’s truth runs deep, so what can I expect?

I wish I could say that I was deep within a Greek dictionary or conversing with a Bible scholar when I stumbled across this truth, but I wasn’t.  Rather, it was none-other than the infamous Wikipedia!  How appropriate that I would be surprised by truth from such a place, thus surprised by grace, and surprised by joy.

It states [and is confirmed by more reliable sites ;)] that the Greek word for joy is “chara.”  This is from the Greek word “charis,” or the grace of God.  
Joy is always rooted in God’s grace.

Because the joy listed in Galatians 5 is the fruit of the Spirit, we know that it is His work in us that produces this joy.  
Not only does the action-grace of God cause joy, but the imparted grace of God produces joy.

Joy “is a Spirit-given expression that flourishes best in hard times.” 
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fruit_of_the_Holy_Spirit#Joy_.28Greek:_chara.2C_Latin:_gaudium.29)

We need not strive to sum up joy in our times of struggle because we already have complete access to it.  We have been given it in the work of the Spirit.  We must only be willing to receive His work!

Nehemiah 8:10 reads:
“The joy of the Lord is your strength.”
This “may be further understood to mean properly as ‘the awareness (of God’s) grace, favor; joy (“grace recognized”).’ ”
 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fruit_of_the_Holy_Spirit#Joy_.28Greek:_chara.2C_Latin:_gaudium.29)

“The joy of the Lord is [our] strength because joy is the grace of God at work within our hearts.”

The observed grace of God is reason for joy.
Christ.
The at-work-in-your-life grace of God produces joy in His power.
Holy Spirit.

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