Your Joyful New Nature

Did you know that you were born for supernatural joy? You were born anew into the Kingdom of God, which consists of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom. 14:17). Joy is in your new nature. Once you committed yourself to the lordship of Jesus Christ, you received a new nature, which is “created to be like God”(Eph. 4:24). Our new nature resembles our Lord Jesus in every way. One of the most important ways is in that of supernatural joy. Jesus’ nature is quintessentially joyful. “In His presence is fullness of joy” (Ps. 16:11).

Joy was on even on His heart on His last moments with His disciples before heading to Gethsemane. As He shared His closing thoughts with them at the Last Supper, He emphasized to them the role of the coming Helper, the Holy Spirit. This Counselor would teach them all things and remind them of everything they had learned from Jesus (John 14:26).

Having sown into their spirits anticipation of this wonderful Paraclete, Jesus concluded, “I have told you these things that My joy might be in you, and your joy might be complete.” (John 15:11) His intent for them was that as they came to experience the abiding presence of His Spirit within them, the result would be a spontaneous and continual overflow of joy. This joy would be part of the rivers of living waters He had promised to those who believe in Him, some chapters earlier (John 7:37).

That’s you, too, right? You who believe in Him, you have become a participant in the divine nature (2 Pet. 1:4). Indeed, you have become a partaker of a nature that exudes joy. My friend, as a new creation in our Lord Jesus, you are now hardwired for joy. This is your gift from God, lavished on you because He loves you so much!

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If joy is part of the new nature God has given us, why do so some believers live without much of it?