Joy Complete

1

A Complete Joy

And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

1 John 1:4

JOY IN LIFE IS KNOWING Jesus Christ. As we take a deep look at 1 John, I hope to provide a greater understanding of biblical joy so that your joy may be rooted in Christ. Through a deeper understanding and a foundation built on Christ, we free ourselves from the world and its constant change. While trends can come and go, being founded in Christ means we have a joy that cannot be taken away or tarnished. Our joy can be as eternal as Christ Himself.

The Apostle John encourages us, ...we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. (1 John 1:4) As we survey 1 John, we will look at various scriptures in this epistle and how they relate to and complete our joy in Christ. The apostle has powerful teachings, that when applied to our lives, can bring us more joy than ever imagined. They can impact our lives and keep us on a course, walking with Christ, in eternal joy.

However, before we move forward in John's epistle, we must first lay down basic truths about joy. It's extremely important we look at what joy is and what it isn't. There are biblical definitions, then there are the definitions provided by the world that we are far too used to. The bible offers truths about joy. The world distorts and perverts God’s true meaning of joy, how to obtain it and its intent.

Let's start by discussing what joy isn’t. It would be far too simple, even superficial, to reduce joy to an emotional state. One that is a manufactured and, often, a temporary elated state of being, this is not biblical joy. It’s not being happy or feeling good about yourself in a worldly sense. Having true biblical joy is much more than emotions that can come and go throughout the day. It’s more than the successes and victories of the day.

True joy starts and finishes with Christ. It is a natural byproduct of our relationship with Him. ...the fruit of the Spirit is ...joy... (Galatians 5:22) Joy comes from God and is independent of our current mood or situation. Joy in Christ is not dependent on whether one is happy or sad. Joy is founded on our relationship with Christ knowing that we are eternally secure through our faith in Him. One could have the worst day in the world but be at the height of the joy in Christ!

It’s important to realize that true biblical joy is constantly under attack. Man has always been carnal and we are constantly swapping biblical joy for worldly joy. We like how worldly joy comforts and soothes us. It speaks to our egos and pride. We like how worldly joy is filled with amusement, even entertainment. As people, we enjoy the feelings our body undergoes when we or others make us happy. The problem is, when the happiness fades , our joy goes with it. It’s carnal and temporary.

Biblical joy operates independent of our current emotional state. While there may be instances when we are happy and joyful, as mentioned previously, one can be sad but joyous in Christ. This is important to understand because our definition of joy is constantly being challenged to intermix with our feelings.

Why is this important to our study of joy? Let’s recall the verse by the Apostle Paul where he states, And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. (2 Corinthians 11:14-15) Paul is warning the Corinthians that deceitful men, false servants of Christ, had entered the church and were teaching things false. Today is no different.

As I hope to show you, joy is rooted in Christ. It is directly related to our obedience to Him and our heart to practice righteousness. We have many churches today who deny the moral law, falsely preach unbiblical prosperity and grace, and teach you can live your best life now. They often teach obedience to Christ and His commandments is something that will steal your joy instead of secure and complete it.

The Apostle John warns against false teachers and practicing unrighteousness. He knows sin and false teaching will steal your joy. He knows that joy is deeply tied to our obedience to Christ, emphasizing a true walk with our Savior. True eternal joy can only be found when we truly abide in Christ.

The Joy and Sorrow of a Christian

We commend ourselves as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing. (2 Corinthians 6:10) This is a dichotomy of many sorts and yet it is a statement that perfectly describes a Christian. We mourn and are sorrowful for our sin, we grieve, remorse and loathe our sinful state yet we rejoice we are forgiven, being regenerated and loved upon by our Savior.

In addition, we mourn and are sorrowful over the condition of our churches, communities and families as we rejoice in the hope in Christ. For many, it is  difficult to understand the damage caused by sin. So many do not perceive the division that sin has caused between man and God. And unfortunately, we can stress teaching and learning but The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is unable to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. (1Co 2:14) You can't force the word and its power on those who are absent of the Holy Spirit. This scriptural truth is why the parables were so powerful and why God's word can convict, restore, heal, and convert if allowed to do so. Many understood the parables and were changed. Many more were focused on themselves and superficiality and were not.

I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil. (Psa 119:162) The Word possesses the power to transform individuals, families, communities and countries if it is shed abroad without dilution, unharnessed and unrestricted. As Christians we must be open to who we are and the areas where we struggle. We must discern our environment and especially our thoughts and behaviors, recognizing how our joy is being attacked. Without being real before God and to ourselves we will continue to have a walk that is compromised. We will never achieve a joy full and complete in Christ as long as we are not honest with ourselves and the world we live in.

Joy begins and ends with Christ. Receive joy, take heart, and be encouraged by remembering the heights to which Christ has called your life. In Christ, we can say that no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him. (1 Corinthians 2:9)

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Joy comes through Fellowship with Christ

- that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

1 John 1:3-4

THERE IS TRUE JOY IN fellowship with Christ! Just like any valuable relationship we have with those we love, it is something cherished, protected, invested in and brings us considerable happiness in life. Our relationship with Christ is no different and should never be. Let’s take a deeper look at the joys in fellowship with Christ. We will consider ways to protect our relationship as well as foster and nurture it. As our relationship with Christ strengthens and grows, so does our joy.

In verses 1-4 of 1 John, the Apostle describes Christ. He didn’t just see him live, he lived with Him! He saw Him cry and feel pain as well as experience the blessings afforded to mankind. He lived with the eternal one! Compelled, John makes sure to explain Christ was fully human and fully God. This clarity of faith should bring about joy to a Christian for many reasons including peace with God, hope in this life and the next and eternal life, just to name a few! Hebrews chapter 2 says it best: Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. (Hebrews 2:17-18) We have divine help from above in all things, at all times!

Joy Through Christ, the Word

There is much joy in the Word! Jesus reminds us, These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. (John 15:11) His words are a form of His love to us. They are His guidance, His counsel, His wisdom, His care, His compassion and so much more. The word of God comes from the heart of God.

Christ is the word of God and the two are inseparable. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1) Not only is Christ the word of God, He is the divine method the Father chose to bring salvation to mankind. The bible, the word of God, also clearly charts the way to salvation through Christ alone.

Peter preached the gospel and stated, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38) Through repentance we have a proper relationship with Christ and it is through a heart of repentance that God gives us His Spirit, the Holy Spirit. And again, The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him. (Acts 5:30-32) So it is through obedience to the gospel that we have the gifts of salvation and the Holy Spirit.

Why is this important? Because, joy is brought forth by the Spirit of God. As we mentioned in chapter 1, ...the fruit of the Spirit is.....joy.... (Gal 5:22) Biblical joy is a natural fruit of our relationship with God. When we walk by the Spirit, (Romans 8:4, Galatians 5:16) God’s joy is developed in us. His everlasting and eternal joy.

It’s important that Christians understand this. Satan wants nothing more than to steal the joy set aside for us by our Lord and Savior. The way Satan does this is the same way he has been doing it for years ... by twisting the word of God! He dilutes the truth and changes it ever so slightly so it's not the truth anymore. Any application of a distortion of God’s truth is sin. The devil tricked Eve by slight of the word and if we are not careful, will get us in this same wicked old trap.

Unfortunately, people today are still diluting, if not fully discounting, the word of God. The Apostle John knew it was important Christians know the truth about Christ, the Word of God. The false teachers in the early church were trying to change who Christ was and twisting the truth was as good a tactic as any. Just like then, today we have false teachers who teach and say things about Christ that are not true. Christ reminds us, For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. (Luke 9:26) Christ and His words are inseparable.

It is through His word that we have fellowship with God. Christ taught the disciples, If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. (John 14:23) Keeping Christ's word is of the utmost importance to Him. It says we love Him. Christ stated, If you love me, you will keep my commandments. (John 14:15)

In addition, if we have fellowship with God through His word, then the joy found in Christ comes through His word by His Spirit. John 14:23 clearly teaches when we keep the word of God, we experience His fellowship. By keeping the word, Christ means we must keep all of it - not just the verses we like. Remember, All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

God manifests himself to us when we have faith and show obedience to His word. This is what it means to trust in God. Not only will God deliver us from our daily problems but we should actively seek to apply His word to our lives out of love for His love. It’s in the application of the scriptures that we see the manifestation of Jesus into our lives. This verse in John 14 explains it clearly, Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.

(John 14:21)

Joy of Christ in Us

We must always take time to be joyous of Christ in us. We should not take joy in ourselves but in the regeneration and transformation brought about by the Holy Spirit. It is because Christ lives in us and is making these things possible that we have any grounds to think good of ourselves. The Apostle Paul says it best by stating, "I