Full of joy

 

that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. – 1 John 1.3-4

 

The second reason John writes this letter is that they all might be full of the joy that comes in true fellowship. Fellowship and joy go hand I hand. Sure, we are to rejoice in the Lord but also need to rejoice in each other. We really need both for full joy.

 

John says he wrote this letter to give them full joy.  That ought to be our goal. The joy of the Lord should be our strength.

 

Christians should have this underlying joy that carries us through. Our joy should make us different from the world. It ought to be one of the things that draws others to Christ.

 

True joy is the joy of the Lord which gives us strength.

 

John’s first letter is written that we may have joy.  Our joy comes in fellowship, in dealing with sin, in walking in the love of God, and in loving each other.