The Secret of Joy
Jesus told us the secret of being full of joy. I suppose most all of us need instruction, or in the very least a refresher course in the subject “joy.” If your full of joy then you will know these words are true because you believed them. For the rest of us it will be good to listen, for this is the Season of Joy.
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself but must remain in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in Me, and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown away like a branch and dries up; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you remain in Me, and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. Just as the Father has loved Me, I also have loved you; remain in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” (John 15: 1-11 NASB)
To abide in Jesus is to continue to believe that He is the Son of God. For His word to abide in us requires our obedience. Why? Because that is the way we are made holy and become fruitful. God the Father is glorified when His Son’s disciples become fruitful saints. Our joy is found by experiencing the wonderful love of God as fruit is produced in us. If we are short on joy the reason most often is that we are short on obedience. Joy is found in acts of goodness or godliness. They are witnesses to Jesus, in whom we abide.
His Family Table 