Joy through Understanding

Prayer:  Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you.
Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord.
They rejoice in your name all day long; they celebrate your righteousness (Psalm 89:14-16).

God, we know that you are a righteous God, and we are not righteous.  We seek to learn righteousness from you so that we can lead a life that is pleasing to you and joyous for us.  Joy is a product of your righteousness, and we seek that ultimate expression for ourselves.  Teach us your righteousness.  Amen.

Main Scripture:

…filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God (Philippians 1:11).

Associated Scriptures:

For wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you (Proverbs 2:10-11).

The fear of the lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 1:7).

Correlative Quotes:

If sin is the manifestation of our unrighteousness and we can be saved only through a righteousness not our own—the righteousness of Christ—then the ultimate sin is self-righteousness. Jesus did not reject sinners who came to Him for mercy and salvation; He rejected those who were too righteous (in their own eyes) to need grace. No one is too lost to save; there are only those too good to save.[1] – Bob Deffinbaugh

There is the kind of righteousness that man foolishly thinks he can produce in the energy of his own flesh. Somehow if he is good enough, then he can gain the approval of God.[2] – Dr.  Wayne A. Barber

Study:

INTRODUCTION

Philippians 1:9-10 teaches us that there are two tools available to the believer. 

1. The first tool is correct knowledge. We must rightly divide the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15). We have been given, by Jesus, a window into the mind of God and a schoolmaster to teach us how to grow spiritually.  We must now use that tool to read God’s word and develop a working knowledge of the One who wrote it.
2. The second tool is depth of insight or discernment. Discernment is the correct spiritual interpretation and understanding of God’s word and its directions. For us it involves trying to correctly understand the words of God and their interpretation into our lives through His truth the Bible.

We will begin to experience a life of fulfillment and joy when we determine the true and perfect will of God for our lives.  Discernment and acuteness of judgement are the byproduct of learning and understanding God’s word.

These two, correct knowledge and discernment, are closely linked.  We must first read God’s Word through, cover to cover, to build a basis for the knowledge of his word itself.  As we are doing so, we should begin asking the Spirit to help us by giving us understanding. 

3. Knowing God’s Word, the Bible, is very important. However, it is understanding the Word and its implication for our lives and interpretation into our lives as actions that further the kingdom of God. These actions are essential to living a Spirit-filled and blessed life.

Depth and knowledge of insight into just how to use the understanding that comes with them (Philippians 1:9-10) produce a pure and blameless life.  Correct knowledge and discernment produce spiritual stability and a walk of spiritual sincerity.  When with walk in Jesus we will not stumble and our example will not cause others to stumble in their walk.

Vs. 11 continues this thought by saying, sincerity and spiritual stability produce fruits which then fill us with the works of the spirit of righteousness.  Romans 6:18 explains this phenomenon by saying, “You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.”  Because we are free from sin and death, we are now free to be righteous and to practice righteousness.

Our ability to practice righteousness then is the gateway to a life of joy.  Fulfilling the work or our Savior multiplies the joy that comes to us in salvation.  Not only is the gate opened to joy but we are “filled” with it now that we are “filled with the Spirit of righteousness,” the Holy Spirit. 

The word filled in verse 11, means that we are filled and continue to be filled with the fruits of righteousness.  Our joy that comes from living a life of righteousness continues to grow and become stronger as we live a more consistent walk with Jesus.

Colossians 1:9 says this, “Be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.”  Paul’s desire for the Colossians was to know God’s will.  By knowing His will they would have the wisdom and spiritual knowledge to make Godly decisions in their lives.  We are no different today. 

The fruits of righteousness that the Holy Spirit produces in us are the stepping stones that lead us to a righteous life in Christ.  These stepping stones are the fruits of the Spirit. 

THE FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness gentleness and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.  Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.  Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other (Galatians 5:22-26).

We are the tools or instruments of righteousness on this earth.  This righteousness that we are given is from Jesus.  It is not our work or it would be called self-righteousness.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10, NKJV).

Even though we are filled with the spirit of righteousness at the point of our salvation, correctly interpreting His word and walking in God’s knowledge takes prayer and execution.  James 1:5 explains this and gives us the path to a righteous life when he writes, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

Summary Statement:

We cannot experience the knowledge of God and its joy without being in fellowship with God.  We maintain an ongoing relationship by living in His Spirit and growing in His knowledge. 

Joy is a gift from God that comes through spiritual growth.  Spiritual growth is obtained through the knowledge and depth of insight that is achieved by Bible study, discernment, and application.  all of these tools are ignited and directed by the Spirit of God that lives in us.  A deeper understanding of God brings us joy.

Lesson within the Lesson:

Where does the knowledge of God and spiritual discernment come from?

What is the relationship between the knowledge of God and spiritual discernment?

What is the key to being filled with the fruit of righteousness and why is it important?

What are the benefits of having a deeper relationship with God?

[1] Bob Diffenbaugh, The Righteousness of God, copyright 2015, bible.org /seriespage/6-righteousness-god

[2] Dr. Wayne A. Baker, Righteousness is a Precious Possession, preceptaustin.org/romans

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