(1 John 1:4) “And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.”
- A) “ these things write we unto you”- The purpose of John’s writing
1 John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
1 John 2:26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.
1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
- B) “ that your joy may be full”
John is writing these words in this epistle under the leadership of the Holy Spirit so that you and I will have much joy as we entertain the truths in this letter.
The truth of the word of God will be the delight of the Christian, the born again child of the king.
This phrase “that your joy may be full” also occurs several times in the gospel of John and on one occasion in John 16:24, we discover what will bring a Christian real joy. It is something that is really missed in modern Christianity and is a little concerning.
(John 16:24) “Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.”
Here we clearly discover the words of Jesus Christ and a command or invitation you could say that he invites us to do in order that our joy may be full.
Jesus says “ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” This is him inviting us to pray and ask God for things and see his power as we receive from him as our great loving father.
Isn’t it a great joy when we ask God for him to do something for us and for him to hear and answer our prayers and he really does? I know, many folks today don’t 100% truly believe that God can answer every prayer you ask, but I do for it is what the word of God teaches.
Jesus is saying that if you will ask me anything that is right and good that you will receive it so that your joy may be full.
Sometimes we can see Christian folks who are so miserable it seems and that the joy has been sucked out of their lives and we must wonder why? A lot of it is because they have not discovered this wonderful truth that Christ tells us and that is ask, and ye shall receive. The answer of every prayer that a child of God utters is truly possible when faith is exercised for it.
We can show many scriptures to prove that the reason we don’t get answers to our prayers are a lack of faith to attain them and several other reasons as well. We will touch on more of this when we get to the 5th chapter of this great epistle.
We find in the book of 2nd john verse 12 another thing that really brings us joy as believers that we kind of discussed yesterday and that is fellowship with our fellow believers in the faith.
(2 John 1:12) “Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.”
We as Christians greatly desire to see one another at church and like events so that we can consider one another and to provoke to love and good works and to exchange encouragement. We are all in the same battle and are there for each other.
This is why Christians should really take it seriously to not forsake the assembly of themselves in the house of God and to be involved at church, it strengthens all of the family of God in these trying and perilous times.
Having prayers answered, a copy of the words of God written to us from a loving father, and having good Christian fellowship brings a child of God great joy!
John says that having the things that he has written brings joy and it indeed it does. What else brings a Christian joy? WE have seen that answers to prayer, and Christian fellowship does, but what comes before all that? SALVATION!
We know that lost people don’t find joy in the things of God, and so until the new birth happens a person really doesn’t have joy. The scripture states very clearly that there is no peace to the wicked but that their life is like the troubled sea that cannot rest.
However you take a soul that has been touched by God and has been born again and set free from the will of the Devil, you will see a person who is joyful in God and for what he has done for them. They have had a change from wearing the nasty filthy garments of a life stained with sin and hurt and been clothed with the garments of salvation that are clean and white as snow.
NO MATTER HOW BAD THIGS GET FOR THE CHILD OF GOD, HE CAN REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN THE GOD OF HIS SALVATION!
When we stand on faith in the word of God our joy will be full. I also am thankful that through our Christian walk that we have been given helpers in the form of fellow Christians for the purpose of giving us joy that we need some time when we are down. We must be careful though that we don’t stand on the faith of others, but by our own faith.
No matter what we are going through in life, if we will keep in mind and know without a shadow of doubt the love of the Christ , and what he did for us on Calvary for our eternal salvation and happiness then we can have joy that passes all knowledge, a joy that this world without God cannot comprehend.
John in this text is establishing the fact that the words that he is writing along with all of scripture that God had holy men write as they were moved by the Holy Spirit is for our joy. I can’t help but think of Jeremiah.
(Jeremiah 15:16) “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.”
Most of the world today have ears that have never been circumcised by God but instead have itching ears wanting to hear what sounds good to their flesh and what accommodates their lifestyle of sin.
For many of the folks that live in our country, if not the majority, the word of God and the things that John writes to the church are a reproach and they have zero delight in the words of this sacred book, the Holy Bible.
However to us Christians we feel the same as the prophet Jeremiah when we discovered the words of this book, it became and still is our joy and rejoicing of our heart! IT becomes so vital to us in this journey that we are on in this world as pilgrims and strangers that it becomes more important to us and more vital than the food that we eat physically each day. Job said that I HAVE ESTEEMED THE WORDS OF HIS MOUTH MORE THAN MY NECESSARY FOOD.
There is no gold, silver, or United States dollars, nor anything else that is to be more desired for the Christian than the words of this sacred book.
The great truths of this book and having a copy of this book to travel with us no matter we go is better than all the gold, silver, or money that we can put in our pockets. If you could have only ONE THING that you take with you besides the clothes on your back what would it be? Your wallet and money, or the copy of the word of God?
If you say that you love this book, then I will ask you this question: Do you read it every day and mediate on it every day to ascertain and get its wonderful truths deep into your heart and life?
THE WORDS OF THIS BOOK IS SWEETER THAN HONEY OR ANY FOOD THAT WE CAN EAT!
(Psalms 119:111) “Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.”
The bible refers to many things like children, and the flock of GOD which is the church of God as a heritage, but none of those things still compare to the heritage that we have by having the word of God!
(Psalms 119:162) “I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.”
(Psalms 119:77) “Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.”
(Psalms 119:92) “Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.”
(Psalms 19:7-11) “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. {8} The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. {9} The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. {10} More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. {11} Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.”
