June 1 - 1 John 1:1-4. Joy

June 1 - 1 John 1:1-4. Joy

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 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 with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete.

In the beginning was the Word … (John 1:1)

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory … (John 1:14)

The first letter that John wrote doesn’t begin like a letter.  If you look at his other two letters, those have obvious salutations.  2 John 1 says “The elder, to the chosen lady and her children …”  3 John 1 says “The elder, to my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth.”

This letter from John begins with a proclamation of truth about Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh.  There was to be no doubt.  John himself, had seen the Word, had walked and talked with Him.  He had heard the words that the Lord spoke while he was on the earth.  He was present at the crucifixion and saw the Lord after the Resurrection.

The purpose of the Gospel is to spread the good news about Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Savior of humanity.  And when that happens, there is joy!

Jesus says, in John 15:10-11, “If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”

In John 16:24, Jesus says, “Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.”

Joy … one of the greatest gifts of our relationship with Jesus Christ.  Joy is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22).  Joy shows up when the Holy Spirit does (Acts 13:52).  Joy comes from fellowship with other Christians (Philippians 2:2).

Joy will fill you to overflowing.  These words are intentionally used by John.  Proclaiming and writing about the good news brings great joy.  Joy is part of the Kingdom of God.  “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17).

Jesus gave us everything so that his joy … unimaginable joy … will be in us and our joy will be complete.