Filled With It!

As I was reading through Romans yesterday I was struck by a verse in the fifteenth chapter which reads…
“May the God of hope FILL YOU WITH ALL JOY AND PEACE IN BELIEVING, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” ( Romans 15:13 ESV)

What grabbed my attention was the mentioning together of JOY and PEACE. We have just come through a time of the year that many in the world have referred to as a great season of JOY and PEACE. I’m sure there were many gatherings and moments filled with such a focus. However, the JOY and PEACE we can have in believing in Jesus is for every season of life! The Greek word translated “fill” in the above verse refers to the idea of something being filled up to the very top or brim so as to lack nothing to the full measure. To keep our focus where it ought to be throughout our life can keep us filled with a sense of JOY and PEACE that will keep out the negatives that might otherwise undermine our faith.

While referring to Jesus, Peter stated…
“(8) Though you have not seen him, YOU LOVE HIM. Though you do not now see him, YOU BELIEVE IN HIM and REJOICE WITH JOY THAT IS INEXPRESSIBLE and filled with glory, (9) obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” ( 1 Peter 1:8-9 ESV)

Peter encouraged those to whom he wrote that they could have such a JOY even though they faced many challenges in this world. The genuineness of their faith was being tested. ( 1 Peter 1:6-7) Nevertheless, to truly believe in Jesus and to maintain their love for Him and His Will had power to instill within them a great sense of INEXPRESSIBLE JOY because of the salvation that was theirs.

Earlier in Paul’s letter to the church at Rome we read…
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have PEACE WITH GOD THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.” ( Romans 5:1 ESV)

Through the giving of Himself on the cross and adequately dealing with our sins, Jesus has made PEACE with God possible. In Paul’s Ephesian letter he made the statement that Jesus Himself is our PEACE. ( Ephesians 2:14) In Isaiah’s prophecy regarding the coming Messiah, our Lord was referred to as the “Prince of Peace.” ( Isaiah 9:6) Since that is what He is, it is to Him we should look to find it!

JOY and PEACE! Because of Jesus these are gifts for us to enjoy throughout our life and on into eternity. May we help others come to know where the reality of these can be found and experienced for all the seasons of life.

Have a great day FOCUSED ON THE JESUS FOR ALL SEASONS!
Carl

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