The Gospel In A Word
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As I reflected on the role of joy in the gospel, I found myself singing an old camp song, “Love, Love, Love.” You remember the verse — “Joy, joy, joy, joy/ the gospel in a word is joy/ joy that fills to overflowing/ joy, joy, joy.” My recent study of joy has left me wondering why I have not spent more time dwelling on joy. Here are some passages that I have been meditating on this week as a result of singing another familiar verse of that old song — “Peace, Peace, Peace, Peace/ the gospel in a word is peace/ peace that passes understanding/ peace, peace, peace.” "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26 “There is deceit in the hearts of those who plot evil, but joy for those who promote peace.” Proverbs 12:20 “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.” Proverbs 14:30 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” Matthew 5:9 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33 “To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 1:7 “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. . . .” Romans 5:1 “The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace. . . .” Romans 8:6 “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18 “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. . . .” Romans 14:17 “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” Romans 14:19 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. ” Romans 15:13 “The God of peace be with you all. Amen.” Romans 15:33 “For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.” 1 Corinthians 14:33a “Finally, brothers, good-by. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.” 2 Corinthians 13:11 “But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness. . . .” Galatians 5:22 NLT “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:3 “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15 “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.” 2 Thessalonians 3:16 “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.” James 3:17-18 “Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” 2 Peter 1:2 “Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.” Jude 1:2 Isn’t it awesome to enjoy the peace and joy of God in abundance?! — Bob Clark 10/7/2003
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