JOY: GOD'S UNION WITH "YOU!:

                                              

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JOY: GOD’S UNION WITH “YOU”

 “…I AM THE VINE, AND MY FATHER IS THE HUSBANDMAN…I AM THE VINE AND YE ARE THE BRANCHES…” (JOHN 15:1, 5 NIV).

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JOY is being AWARE of God’s BOND-of-LOVE toward you AND HIS UNION with you. “…love, which is the perfect BOND of unity...” (Colossians 3:14 NASB). “… He that is joined (UNITED) unto the LORD “is” ONE SPIRIT…” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV).

AWARENESS is HAVING a knowledge, consciousness, understanding, or realization of God’s TRUTH which come BY FAITH. “… BY FAITH we UNDERSTAND (become AWARE of) …that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen…” (Hebrews 11 NLT). “…God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through … faith in the truth…” (2 Thessalonians 2:13 NASB).

BY FAITH you become AWARE of God’s love and God’s union WITH YOU. “…Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God…” (Roman 10:17 KJV). “…[The] Good News about Christ … is the power of God at work, saving everyone who BELIEVES (in God’s love and his union toward them)…” (Romans 1:16 NLT).

“…a right (through God’s love and spirit) relationship with God … comes by faith…” (Romans 4:13 NASB). “…a person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ…” (Galatians 2:16 NLT).

GOD LOVES YOU! “…God is love…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “…Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres, Love never fails…” (1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 NIV).  “…NOT that [you]… loved God, but that HE LOVED … [you]...” (1 John 4:10 KJV). “….HE FIRST LOVED [you]…” (1 John 4:19 ASV). “… [Nothing] … shall be able to separate [you]… from the love of God which is “in” Christ Jesus our Lord…” (Romans 8:38-39 KJV).  “….the…faithful love of the Lord, never ends...” (Lamentations 3:22-23 NLT). “…God SO LOVED the world (YOU)…” (John 3:16 KJV). “…There is no greater love …” (John 15:13 NLT).

GOD IS UNITED TO YOU BY “HIS” INDWELLING SPIRIT! “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). “…The Lord is that Spirit…” too (2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV).  “…The Holy Spirit gives birth to SPIRITUAL LIFE…” (John 3:6 NLT). “…It is the SPIRIT who gives LIFE…” (John 6:63 NASB). “Jesus (the WORD) saith…I am …THE LIFE…” (John 14:6 KJV). “…God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son (the WORD) “INTO” [YOUR HEART]…” (Galatians 4:6 NASB). “…THE WORDS (Jesus) THAT I SPEAK unto you, they ARE SPIRIT, and they ARE LIFE…” (John 6:63 KJV). “…Jesus Christ (the WORD) is IN YOU…” (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV). “…Christ (the WORD) be “IN” YOU… (Romans 8:10 KJV). “…the Spirit of God dwell[s]… in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV).

Becoming AWARE of your UNION with Christ means to become familiar, acquainted, mindful, attentive, or enlightened with the truth of God’s connection with YOU. “… He that is joined (UNITED) unto the LORD “is” ONE SPIRIT…” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV).

The UNION between Christ and the believer resembles the union between the BRANCH and the VINE in the John 15 parable. “…I AM THE VINE, AND MY FATHER IS THE HUSBANDMAN…I AM THE VINE AND YE ARE THE BRANCHES…” (JOHN 15:1, 5 NIV).

The BRANCH represents the believers and the VINE represents Christ. “…I AM THE VINE AND YE ARE THE BRANCHES…” (JOHN 15:1, 5 NIV).

The VINE diffuses sap to the BRANCHES from the root to supply the necessary nourishment. “…The branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine…” (John 15:4 KJV).

Christ imparts the indwelling spirit to believers in order to supply spiritual nourishment. “…The branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me…” (John 15:4 KJV).

The husbandman represents the Father and like a gardener, he takes care of the VINEYARD to ensure its fruitfulness. “…I AM THE VINE, AND MY FATHER IS THE HUSBANDMAN …” (JOHN 15:1, 5 NIV).

From the VINE you look for grapes and from the BELIEVER you look for the fruit of the Spirit. “…He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit…” (John 15:5 KJV).

To produce FRUIT or MORE fruit the BRANCHES must be pruned by the husbandman. “…Every branch that beareth fruit he purgeth it…” (John 15:2 KJV).

Spiritual pruning is equivalent to sanctification for believers and enables them to produce fruit or more fruit. “…Every branch that beareth fruit he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit…” (John 15:2 KJV).

A gardener uses special tools to prune the branches such as pruners, loppers, saws, or hedge shears. God uses the WORD. “…ye are CLEAN (pruned) through the WORD which I have spoken unto you…” (John 15:3 KJV).

Pruning is done for the sole purpose of encouraging healthy growth, more flowering, attractiveness, or more fruit. “…every good tree bringeth forth good fruit...” (Matthew 7:16-22 KJV).

The right TIME and the right SEASON is important for pruning also. “….To every [thing there is] a season, and A TIME to every purpose under the heaven…” (Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV).  “…For the vision [is] yet FOR AN APPOINTED TIME….” (Habakkuk 2:3 KJV).

The Father, the husbandman for the believer, uses the WORD to prune believers. “…ye are CLEAN (pruned) through the WORD …” (John 15:3 KJV).

Pruning is done for the sole purpose of encouraging holiness and fruit bearing. “…Your fruit [will result] unto holiness…” (Romans 6:22 KJV).

Pruning, for the believer, is equivalent to sanctification which is wroth by the cleansing power of the WORD of God. “…. “…SANCTIFY them in the truth; Your word is truth…” (JOHN 17:17 NASB).  “…God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through SANCTIFICATION by the Spirit and faith in the truth…” (2 Thessalonians 2:13 NASB).

BRANCHES produce fruit or more fruit by virtue of the UNION with the VINE and believers by UNION with CHRIST. “…The branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine …” (John 15:4-6 NASB).

The UNION between the VINE and BRANCHES or between CHRIST and the BELIEVER is one of dependence. “…Apart from Me you can do nothing…” (John 15:4-6 NASB).

To break-up, disconnect, or separate from the UNION with CHRIST, believers, by their OWN volition, move away from their SOURCE of spiritual nourishment. “…The branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me …” (John 15:4-6 NASB).

True believers, through Christian experience, learn that any interruption in the UNION with CHRIST result in the decline of holiness and fruitfulness. “…If a man abide NOT in me, he is cast forth … and is withered…” (John 15:6 KJV). “Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness…” (Ephesians 5:11 KJV).

Any interruption in the UNION with Christ will eventually lead to a state of uselessness and futility. “…he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered…” (John 15:6 KJV).

Withered or weakened branches are gathered together, cast into the fire, and burned. “…If a man abide NOT in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned…” (John 15:6 KJV).

It is the UNION with CHRIST that enables the BELIEVER to grow healthy, wholesome, holy, and fruitful.  “…The branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me …” (John 15:4-6 NASB). . “…Apart from Me you can do nothing…” (John 15:4-6 NASB).

To REMAIN in UNION with CHRIST, believers choose to live a life of dependence on God and obedience. “…Abide in Me, and I in you…” (John 15:4-6 NASB). “…Apart from Me you can do nothing…” (John 15:4-6 NASB). “…If you love me, you will KEEP my commandments…” (John 14:15). 

Christ is the example we are to imitate when it comes to being UNITED with God and exercising faith in Him. Jesus said, "…I and my Father are one…" (John 10:30 KJV). “…… [Jesus] … entrusted himself to him who judges justly…” (1 Peter 2:19-23 NIV).

Believers are UNITED with God through CHRIST and exercise FAITH in his WORD by hearing the word. “…God’s Spirit dwells in you?...” (1 Corinthians 3:16 NASB). “…He that is joined (united) unto the LORD is ONE SPIRIT…” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV). “…Faith cometh by hearing … THE WORD of God” (Roman 10:17 KJV). “…THY WORD is truth…” (JOHN 17:17 KJV).

If the believer chooses to STAY in UNION with CHRIST God will care for them, comfort them, supply their needs, impart spiritual blessings, never leave them, and love them forever. “...Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you…” (1 Peter 5:7 KJV).

“…Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by …our comfort is abundant through Christ.…” (2 Corinthians 1:3-5 NASB).

 “…God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need …” (2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT). “…[he]…WILL SUPPLY ALL YOUR NEED…” (Philippians 4:13 KJV)

“…Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who HATH blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ…” (Romans 1:3 KJV).

“…God has said “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you…” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV). “…I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, to the very end…"(Matthew 28:20 NIV).  “…Behold, I AM WITH… [YOU] and  …I WILL NOT LEAVE [YOU]…." (Genesis 28:15 ASV). “…The LORD thy God …will not fail (leave) thee, nor forsake thee…” (Deuteronomy 31:6 KJV).  “…Behold, I am with… [you] and will keep… [you] whithersoever [you]… goest…I will not leave [you]..." (Genesis 28:15 ASV).

“… [God has]... loved [you]...with an everlasting love….” (Jeremiah 31:3 KJV). “…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).  ^“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8 NIV).

If the believer CHOOSES “NOT” to STAY in UNION with God, through Christ, “they” CUT their own selves OFF from God’s care, God’s comfort, God’s supply of their needs, God’s spiritual blessings, God’s presence, and God’s love. “….Apart from Me, you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).

JOY stems from God’s love toward you and HIS union with you. JOY is IMPARTED and FURNISHED constantly by the indwelling Holy Spirit, which produces ongoing fruitfulness. “…THAT “MY JOY” MIGHT REMAIN IN YOU…” (JOHN 15:11 KJV).

JOY remains a constant supply UNLESS, the believer, CHOOSES to separate from the UNION with Christ. “…God will generously PROVIDE all … [the JOY] … you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to “SHARE” WITH OTHERS…” (2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT  

Without REMAINING dependent on the UNION with Christ, the believer weakens, withers, and becomes spiritually useless or “good for nothing.” (Jeremiah 13:10, Matthew 5:13 KJV). “…This evil people, which refuse to hear my words, which walk in the imagination of their heart, and walk after other gods, to serve them and worship them, shall even be this girdle, which is GOOD FOR NOTHING…” (Jeremiah 13:10 KJV). “…Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth GOOD FOR NOTHING, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men…” (Matthew 5:13 KJV).

The believer is UNITED to God through Christ by faith. “…a person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ…” (Galatians 2:16 NLT). HIS indwelling spirit IMPARTS JOY and STRENGTH flows from JOY. “…THAT “MY JOY” MIGHT REMAIN IN YOU…” (JOHN 15:11 KJV). JOY, thus, becomes a supernatural expression and response to the UNION with God. … your JOY … be full…” (John 15:11 NIV).  

The believer EMITS the fruitfulness of JOY that aids in KEEPING them USEFUL and STRONG! “…Now THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH…” (NEHEMIAH 8:10 KJV).  “…I can do ALL THINGS through Christ which strengtheneth me…” (Philippians 4:13 KJV).

“…I AM THE VINE AND YE ARE THE BRANCHES…” (JOHN 15:1, 5 NIV).

“….Apart from [JESUS, the indwelling Holy Spirit] … YOU CAN DO NOTHING…” (John 15:5 NIV).

“…THE JOY OF THE LORD … [MY] … STRENGTH…” (NEHEMIAH 8:10 KJV).