Joy comes by realizing how blessed we are in Christ.  The Spirit-led Christian rejoices in the Lord always because he understands the true benefits of being a child of God.  In Galatians 5:18, Paul reveals one of those benefits.

Galatians 5:18 (ESV)
¹⁸  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Why does Paul begin with an “if” here?  Aren’t we all led by the Spirit?  No, walking after the Spirit, or being led by the Spirit, is a personal decision.   To walk after the Spirit is to live by the teachings of the Spirit, that is, to live by the gospel of Christ, and God does not force anyone to do that.  But living by the gospel results in joy.  Notice the last part of ver. 18.  What is the result of being led by the Spirit?  Paul says, “you are not under the law.”

Paul is saying that the one led by the Spirit is saved by grace rather than by the pure code of law, which would demand a sinless life.  In other words, we are not under a law that makes it necessary to be perfect.   Since we are all imperfect beings, that is worth rejoicing over, isn’t it?  It means that we can be sure about our fellowship with God (1 John1:3-4-7).  What does it mean to be in a relationship with God?

It means that all of our past sins have been forgiven.  We have been acquitted in heaven’s court, and so we appear before God as if we have not sinned (Romans 8:4; Ephesians 1:4; Colossians 1:22).  This is the only way that we can have fellowship with God because His moral perfection will not allow Him to have a relationship with those in sin (1 John 1:5-6).  The problem for us was that we had no way of taking care of the sins that we had committed.  Thankfully, God is a loving and merciful God Who sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins (Romans 3:23-25).  This should cause us to rejoice.  Now we are partakers of God’s divine nature (2 Peter 1:4) and have the hope of heaven.

Being in a relationship with God means that we pray with confidence and assurance of faith.  The Hebrews writer wrote, “ Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16).  Prayer is one of the greatest blessings of all.  The ability to have an audience with the Creator of life is a privilege beyond description, and most importantly, it is a spiritual tool that helps us to overcome the devil’s attacks against us.  The blessings and benefits of prayer should certainly bring us joy.

We can also be sure that God is going to take care of us due to the relationship we have with Him.  He is our Father, and Fathers know how to take care of their children.  Jesus once compared earthly fathers to God by saying, “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him” (Matthew 7:11).   Who would conclude that those of us who are earthly fathers know more about taking care of our children than God does?  If we naturally and without hesitation provide for our children, then surely we have confidence that God will do the same for His.  It is one of the blessings of having a relationship with God, and it is a blessing that should bring us joy.

Never forget the wonderful blessings you have in Christ as a child of God.  The ongoing realization of the spiritual blessing that we have makes it possible to be filled with joy no matter what the circumstances of our lives might be.  The world should see the joy of the Lord in us.

John 15:11 (ESV)
¹¹ These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.   

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.