Joy | Full
Joy-Full
1 John 1:1–4 (NKJV)
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life—2 the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—3 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. 4 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.
To better understand this, let's get some context:
one of the most prevalent false-doctrines facing the church at that time was gnosticism
this idea was things of the spirit were entirely good while things of the flesh were entirely bad, and there was no connection between them.
In christianity (Bible) you see the idea of "works of the flesh" and "works of the Spirit" and you can see where this gets confusing, right?
This produced two extremes in beliefs:
the belief that there was nothing good that could come from the "body" and so would apply this self-punishment and suffering mentality
the more suffering, the better
The other side of this belief system was that since the flesh and the spirit were completely separate, what happened in one sense didn't effect the other
they would go all-in to sin (since it didn't matter)
You can see how both sides of this belief system would rob the believer of the true joy that comes from serving Christ!
We still see this struggle today:
mean christians
christians that don't act like christians
The reality is, we hardly ever meet someone who is truly “full” of joy
Our culture has joy and happiness confused
When we don't understand the difference, we will go through life riding an emotional roller coaster
where we are substituting temporary feelings for eternal truths
Happiness is an emotion - joy is a state of being
one is situationally dependent on external things, the other is intrinsic
Here's what the Bible says about joy:
Nehemiah 8:10 (NKJV)
10 Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
It is our strength!
Galatians 5:22–23 (NKJV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
It's a fruit of the Spirit (which means it isn't a work of will or ability)
These things I write that your joy might be "full"
He then begins to unpack 5 chapters of biblical living that are meant to move us into the place where we live lives of joy
I want to give you a few takeaways from this letter from 1 John:
Joyfulness comes as you move toward righteousness
The misconception of happiness being joy leads us to pursue pleasure
The problem is that many times we are way more in tune with our wants than our needs
Here's what John goes immediately into after verse 4:
1 John 1:5–7 (NKJV)
5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
Righteousness is a journey, not a destination
“Lord, make me holy!”
This means we are intentionally and methodically moving away from sin in our lives:
Hebrews 12:1–2 (NKJV)
1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
JOY AND RIGHTEOUSNESS ARE ALWAYS LINKED!
But- understand - We aren’t moving toward righteousness alone:
1 John 1:8–2:2 (NKJV)
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. 1 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
Joyfulness comes as you move toward revelation
1 John 3:1–3 (NKJV)
1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
"It has not yet been revealed what we shall be"
When you look at my life, it may not seem like much - but it isn't yet revealed what I will be!
I'm glad I'm not what I was, but what I am cannot compare to what he's making me!
We experience joy as we move toward the person that God is making us!
This is why it is important to walk with the Spirit!
Every time he reveals himself to me, I become more like Him - that process brings JOY!
Joyfulness comes as you move toward demonstration
1 John 4:20–5:4 (NKJV)
20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also. 1 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
He tells us that a joyful lifestyle:
Loves people
Loves God
Gladly serves both!
If you are struggling with a lack of joy - try intentionally serving someone with a cheerful heart
When you begin to demonstrate the same love that Christ has shown us, it flushes our heart with freshness!
