June 14

The kingdom of God is . . . joy in the Holy Ghost.

ROMANS xiv. 17.

These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. — JOHN xv. 11.

THESE things are all the words of Christ, but especially those spoken in the two preceding verses, where his joy is traced directly to his Father's love, resting on him in the keeping of his commandments, as our joy comes from his love while doing his will. My joy and your joy are fruits of the Vine mentioned a little while before. Indeed, this joy is the very wine of the Christian life. It is not so much one of the fruits of the Spirit as the resultant of them all. The joy of Christ here is not the blessedness he had with the Father before the worlds were, but the joy that was set before him for enduring the cross and despising the shame. So the joy of his people when full will far transcend the happiness of primeval man.

How amazing is the absence of joy in the average Christian experience, seeing it is not only the logical result of salvation, but that Christ has made special provision for it in his continued communion with his people! He bears the thought with him a little while afterward into the holy of holies, and prays, "And now I come to thee, and these things I speak in the world that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves."

John. W. Neil.

My merry heart is springing, And knows not how to pine; 'Tis full of joy and singing And radiancy divine. The sun whose smiles so cheer me Is Jesus Christ alone; To have him always near me, Is heaven itself begun.

RICHARD MASSIE (Translation).