can experience it, for it is found in God's Word. The pathway must be followed as we would a doctor's prescription. There are some peo ple who erroneously think that the fruit of Christianity can be grown without the life of Christianity found only through personal faith in the Lord Jesus. First of all, rec ognize the fact that joy is a super natural thing. Then, once you have accepted Christ, make certain that you are totally committed to Him and to His Word. Ask the Lord for the power to live the Christian life and to be victorious through His Holy Spirit living within you. To experience the joy of the Lord you should know His right eousness and His peace. A life of holiness and trust are absolute prerequisites. The order is set forth in Romans 14:17. Sin will certainly keep us from God who is the source of all joy. Anxiety definitely works against joy. Instead we must experience a life of holiness and submission as we entrust each day and our entire future to God's will. Of all the words Paul, under the Holy Spirit's leadership, wrote to the Philippians, the first few verses of the third chapter have been characterized by some as the most beloved. They give us the encour agement to find our source of joy and rejoicing in the Lord Jesus Christ. This is something we des perately need in these important days. It should be immediately un derscored that real joy or content ment in life must be based to a large degree on sound biblical doctrine applied to the believer's life. As we have pointed out joy is really delight in the Lord and in God's goodness. This is why there can be no real joy for the one who
has never received Jesus Christ as Saviour. He may have sporadic oc currences of happiness but this is not the same as joy. One of the basic aspects of entering into the joy of the Lord following salvation is to know His righteousness and peace first hand. A life of holiness and spiritual trust are absolute prerequisites for a victorious spiritual existence (Romans 14:17). Another vital as pect to our possession of true joy is to make certain that we bathe ourselves in the teaching and in the truth of the Word of God itself. The study and personal application of the Bible should become such a part of us that we literally breathe it and it becomes our language, our thoughts, our hearts. As you read Scripture you cannot help but be impressed in discovering how many times joy is associated with a mature knowledge of the Word. David testified, "The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart (Psalms 19:8). Later he observed, "I have rejoiced in the way of the testimonies as much as in all riches." Jesus pointed out, "These things I have spoken unto you that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full (John 15:11). Years ago, during Old Testa ment times, very devout and pious Jews would wear a small device on their heads which contained some portions of Scripture. These were called "frontlets" and served to remind them, as well as those whom they met that God's Word is always to be the object of one's deepest meditations. The first men tion of this custom is found in Exodus 13:9. This section contains the summary of events taking place
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