The Message of Joy: Joy, the
pinnacle of the Kingdom
by Darryl Manning 9-28-03
Romans 14: 17…the kingdom of God is not eating and
drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy
Spirit.
Joy is the pinnacle of the Kingdom. You can have
righteousness without peace or joy. You can have peace
without joy. You cannot have joy without righteousness and
peace.
Our righteousness is based totally upon the
You can measure your faith by your joy.
Joy is the ultimate expression of God and all he has
for us.
The foundation of the Kingdom of God is righteousness.
God is righteous and we are righteous through the blood of
Jesus.
The next level of the Kingdom of God is peace. Peace is
based upon righteousness. That means we have a right
standing with God and are in right standing with man,
especially with our authorities.
The highest level of the Kingdom of God is joy. It is
the pinnacle. It cannot exist without righteousness and
peace. It is built upon both of them but goes a level
beyond.
Righteousness and peace declares
Ps. 46: 1God is our refuge and strength, A very present
help in trouble. 2Therefore we will not fear, Even though
the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried
into the midst of the sea;
Joy goes beyond and rejoices in trials and tribulations
embracing them as an opportunity for the Glory of God to
be manifested in and through us.
Ja. 1: 2My brethren, count it all joy when you fall
into various trials, 3knowing that the testing of your
faith produces patience.
Peace says God will triumph and I will rejoice on that
day.
Joy says, I will rejoice today for today is the day of
salvation.
Righteousness and peace are based upon knowing about
God and his salvation plan for us. Joy is based upon an
intimate relationship with God. It seeks out the desire of
the Father in order to bring Him pleasure. David’s mighty
men did this when they found their leader wished for a
drink from the well at Bethlehem. They fought through
enemy lines to bring him that drink. (2 Samuel 23:15ff)
The joy I am speaking of is not just being joyful or
having a cheerful attitude. It is an incredible emotion
that is by the Holy Spirit. St. Paul spoke of it in Romans
8.
Rom. 8: 16The Spirit Himself bears witness with our
spirit that we are children of God, 17and if children,
then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ
This witness is in our heart is similar to when God
spoke out of heaven to Jesus and said. “This is my son in
whom I am well pleased.” St. Peter wrote about it.
1 Peter 1:8whom having not seen you love. Though now
you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy
inexpressible and full of glory, 9receiving the end of
your faith—the salvation of your souls.
This joy is inexpressible. You cannot adequately
explain it to people. It is full of the glory of God. It
is a channel that brings us all the good things of God
including the salvation of our souls.
Friend, discovering you are totally righteousness
through the blood of Jesus is fantastic. Finding peace
between you and God and between you and all authority is
wonderful. Now go a step beyond to an intimate personal
relationship with your creator and you will find you joy
truly can be full. (Jn. 15:11)
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated,
are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright ©
1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights
reserved.
