That Your Joy May Be Full In The Lord

How can you be sure that your joy may be full? The Apostle John answered that question in the first epistle he wrote. It revolves around our relationship with the Lord and our fellowship with each other.

We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete. 1 John 1:3-4

John outlived all the other original apostles of Jesus. Thus, making him the oldest eye witness from that group when he wrote this epistle. John’s message began with a focus on proclaiming Jesus.

We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life. 1 John 1:1

For John, the simple message of Jesus never grew old. And by this time he had already seen the vision, he wrote about in Revelation. Therefore he experienced Jesus a second time.

This one who is life itself was revealed to us, and we have seen him. And now we testify and proclaim to you that he is the one who is eternal life. He was with the Father, and then he was revealed to us. 1 John 1:2

Your Joy will be Full Through your Relationships

John revealed to us two major focuses in his life. The first was his relationship with the Father and the Son. This is seen in our verse for today because it was the source of his full and complete joy.

The other one focused on his fellowship with those who knew Christ. Which he considered of the utmost importance.

I’m sure he talked and interacted with people outside of Christianity. But that’s not the same as establishing fellowship with them.

He was concerned about the people he was writing to. He told his readers to not deny when they sinned, but to admit it and ask for forgiveness.

My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. 1 John 2:1

Those Who John was Writing to

The apostle continued by identifying who he was writing to. He said, I am writing to you who are:

God’s children because your sins have been forgiven through Jesus.
Mature in the faith because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning.
Young in the faith because you have won your battle with the evil one. 1 John 2:12-13

Then he changed from who he was writing to, to who he had written to. He said I have written to you who are:

God’s children because you know the Father.
Mature in the faith because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning.
Young in the faith because you are strong. God’s word lives in your hearts, and you have won your battle with the evil one. 1 John 2:14

Fortunately, his writing wasn’t limited to the readers of his time. It was for all, including Christians today, who read and study the Word.

Jesus Also Mentioned How Your Joy May Be Full

Jesus told us that our relationship with the Lord and our fellowship with each other must revolve around love. John wrote about it in his gospel.

I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. John 15:9-10

Jesus followed up what he had just said with the following words.

I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! John 15:11

When Jesus came to the earth, the angels announced He would bring tidings of great joy. As He was preparing to depart, He told us how to acquire it. So, may your joy not only be full but overflowing!

Check out these related posts on Joy.

Lord, enhance our relationship with you and our fellowship with other Christians. Help us to encourage one another as we grow in you. Because after studying your Word, we are sure that our joy may be full.

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