The path to Joy & a definition.

John 15:1 "I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn't produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. 5 "Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples
. This brings great glory to my Father. 9 "I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. 10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father's commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!

Keep in mind, joy is a part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22-23), so if the Holy Spirit is in you, joy is in you.
In John 15:1-11 Jesus offers the path to that Joy, or if you will, the way to unlock what God has placed in you through His Spirit.

Strong's defines the Greek word "chara" for joy this way:
"Cheerfulness, that is, calm delight: - gladness..."

After looking at many other passages and definitions I have formed my own definition for Christian Joy: Calm delightful confidence in my Creator, God and Lord.

Today abide in Christ and His Word. And may your Joy be full.

Love in Christ,
Steve Sherwood Sr