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SUNDAY MORNING (December 22nd) - HOLINESS * The Peace and Joy of Holiness * For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peaceand joy in the Holy Spirit. (Rom 14:17) There can be no doubt from his revelation to mankind that God intends the Christian life to be alife of joy, not drudgery. The idea that holiness will be inseparably tied to a miserable life is anabsolute lie. In fact,just the opposite is true. Only those who walk in holiness experience true joy. How does a self-centered, godless approach to life PROMISE"joy," but ultimately lead toemptiness and the absence of true joy? On the flipside, consider the words of Jesus in john 15:10-11. "If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love,just as I have kept my Father'scommandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may bein you, and that your joy may be full." When Jesus spoke of his joy, what did he have in mind? Practically speaking, how can the joy of Jesus be "in" me? How will this lead to joy that is "full"? Long ago, David wrote of God in Psalm 16:11, "You make known to me the path of life; in yourpresence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." What can welearn from these words? The same David, after he had committed adultery with Bathsheba, pleaded with God in Psalm51:12, "Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit." What can welearn from these words? In your own words, how would you summarize the relationship between holiness and joy? Inwhat way can "the joy of the LORD" be "your strength" (Neh 8:10)?