That Your Joy May Be Full!

[woobadooba]

"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, (for the Life was revealed, and we have seen it and bear witness, and show to you the everlasting Life, who was with the Father and was revealed to us), that which we have seen and heard we declare unto you, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And we write these things to you so that your joy may be full." (1Jn 1:1-4)

What is most inspiring about this passage to me, is how John fostered such a strong desire for the spiritual betterment of people. He had something to share with them that he knew to be of great importance, so much so that without it no one could really experience true joy.

I've often heard people suggest that those who actually had the opportunity to walk with Christ some how had an advantage over us in that we can't be as close to God as they were.

Is this really true? Can't we be just as close to Christ today in a spiritual sense as the people that actually walked with Him?

If so, why do we find ourselves so discouraged at times?

There's something about the word joy that so many fail to experience in their walk with God. Why do you suppose that is?

John gives us the reason why in this passage. Can you see it?

Please share with all of us what you see in it.

 

[~*Lady Trekki*~]

"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, (for the Life was revealed, and we have seen it and bear witness, and show to you the everlasting Life, who was with the Father and was revealed to us), that which we have seen and heard we declare unto you, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And we write these things to you so that your joy may be full." (1Jn 1:1-4)

Awesome scripture!

I've often heard people suggest that those who actually had the opportunity to walk with Christ some how had an advantage over us in that we can't be as close to God as they were.

Is this really true? Can't we be just as close to Christ today in a spiritual sense as the people that actually walked with Him?

If so, why do we find ourselves so discouraged at times?

There's something about the word joy that so many fail to experience in their walk with God. Why do you suppose that is?

John gives us the reason why in this passage. Can you see it?

Please share with all of us what you see in it.

Brother, you hit the nail on the head!

Why DONT we have that joy? I think it's because we forget so easily that we are NOT of this world. We have the hope of glory and that makes me want to shout, laugh, dance and sing all at once! We have been saved and have been redeemed!

 

[MrJim]

We get bogged down too deep in the daily struggles to lift our heads above the muck to see the bigger picture.

 

[jive4005]

Great post and AMEN!

Joy​

Joy is a difficult thing for some Christians to understand. Don’t go confusing joy with happiness. Two different things!

Many things in life can make us unhappy. Problems in our relationships, with friends and family. Difficulty at work, or losing a job, many of these things seem to control our happiness. We may have problems with our own health, leading to complications that cause pain, cost money, require medical attention, or maybe even threaten our very life. We are not happy about this stuff.
BUT, no matter what our circumstances are, no matter what the mood or the venue or the happening… we can indeed hold on to our JOY.

Happiness is momentary “feelings’, while Joy is a fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5 lists the fruit of the Spirit as: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These are the marks of a true Christian. As Christians, we should have joy. I always try to remember “He is my portion”! That is crucial! Not only should Joy be evident in our lives, it should be evident in our hearts even more.

Paul writes in 1 Thes 5:16-17, “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

This is very hard stuff. It’s easy to be joyful when things are good, when we’re safe and well fed and getting along with our family and friends… it’s easy to be joyful.
But we’re not told to just be joyful only when things are going well. We are instructed (instructed: understand this is Christ’s way of teaching you and giving you good advice) to be joyful at all times. If you have priorities straight, the joy will be there. Not only are we to be joyful, we are told to give thanks at all times.

Maybe some of you think that you don’t have much to be thankful for. I don’t claim to know or understand all the things you have gone through. Some of you have lost jobs.
Some of you have problems with drugs and alcohol. Some have overcome great physical or emotional problems. And some are still struggling everyday. Life can indeed beat you up.
But no matter how bad things are for you today, you still have reasons to be thankful. Today you are healthy (hey, I know this is a “relative” kind of thing…) while so many people lie just clinging to life. Today you have food to eat and a place to stay while so many people have no shelter or enough food.

And you get another day with a God who loves you, who wants to forgive you for your sins, and is waiting for you with open arms. These are the great reasons to be thankful.
The apostle Paul writes in Philippians 4:12, “I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”

Paul had a privileged upbringing. He studied under Gamaliel, the most prominent Jewish teacher of the day. He rose quickly among the ranks of the Pharisees and held the respect of all the Jews. All of this changed when he became a Christian however.
There were times when Paul lived a comfortable life as an apostle. Other times he did without food and shelter.

Paul lived a very rough life. In many places, he was run out of town by people who didn’t like the message he was preaching. Other places he was beaten and left for dead. He was ship wrecked three times. He was thrown into prison numerous times. Paul met his end when he was beheaded.
If there was ever a man who served God faithfully enough that God should have spared him the troubles of life, it was Paul. But Paul had a life filled with pain and heartache despite and within his service of God. Paul might have been very bitter about his situation. Certainly we could understand it if he was.
Instead, Paul thanked God.

Paul was content. He saw the half-full rather than the half-empty. Because Paul was content in his situation, he could find joy at all times, no matter how tough things got!
Jesus is indeed our portion. Priorities, love, truth.

His,
Rev J

 

[woobadooba]

I certainly appreciate those of you who have taken the time to contribute to this thread.

Your words are true, and full of grace.

However, there is something specific that I am trying to get others to notice here. John gives us a method to godly joy in his words. Whether he did this intentionally or not, it is there.

What might it be?

Scripture tells us a lot of things.

What is this passage telling us?

Look closely.

 

[~*Lady Trekki*~]

Great post and AMEN!

Joy​

Joy is a difficult thing for some Christians to understand. Don’t go confusing joy with happiness. Two different things!

Many things in life can make us unhappy. Problems in our relationships, with friends and family. Difficulty at work, or losing a job, many of these things seem to control our happiness. We may have problems with our own health, leading to complications that cause pain, cost money, require medical attention, or maybe even threaten our very life. We are not happy about this stuff.
BUT, no matter what our circumstances are, no matter what the mood or the venue or the happening… we can indeed hold on to our JOY.

Happiness is momentary “feelings’, while Joy is a fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5 lists the fruit of the Spirit as: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These are the marks of a true Christian. As Christians, we should have joy. I always try to remember “He is my portion”! That is crucial! Not only should Joy be evident in our lives, it should be evident in our hearts even more.

Paul writes in 1 Thes 5:16-17, “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

This is very hard stuff. It’s easy to be joyful when things are good, when we’re safe and well fed and getting along with our family and friends… it’s easy to be joyful.
But we’re not told to just be joyful only when things are going well. We are instructed (instructed: understand this is Christ’s way of teaching you and giving you good advice) to be joyful at all times. If you have priorities straight, the joy will be there. Not only are we to be joyful, we are told to give thanks at all times.

Maybe some of you think that you don’t have much to be thankful for. I don’t claim to know or understand all the things you have gone through. Some of you have lost jobs.
Some of you have problems with drugs and alcohol. Some have overcome great physical or emotional problems. And some are still struggling everyday. Life can indeed beat you up.
But no matter how bad things are for you today, you still have reasons to be thankful. Today you are healthy (hey, I know this is a “relative” kind of thing…) while so many people lie just clinging to life. Today you have food to eat and a place to stay while so many people have no shelter or enough food.

And you get another day with a God who loves you, who wants to forgive you for your sins, and is waiting for you with open arms. These are the great reasons to be thankful.
The apostle Paul writes in Philippians 4:12, “I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”

Paul had a privileged upbringing. He studied under Gamaliel, the most prominent Jewish teacher of the day. He rose quickly among the ranks of the Pharisees and held the respect of all the Jews. All of this changed when he became a Christian however.
There were times when Paul lived a comfortable life as an apostle. Other times he did without food and shelter.

Paul lived a very rough life. In many places, he was run out of town by people who didn’t like the message he was preaching. Other places he was beaten and left for dead. He was ship wrecked three times. He was thrown into prison numerous times. Paul met his end when he was beheaded.
If there was ever a man who served God faithfully enough that God should have spared him the troubles of life, it was Paul. But Paul had a life filled with pain and heartache despite and within his service of God. Paul might have been very bitter about his situation. Certainly we could understand it if he was.
Instead, Paul thanked God.

Paul was content. He saw the half-full rather than the half-empty. Because Paul was content in his situation, he could find joy at all times, no matter how tough things got!
Jesus is indeed our portion. Priorities, love, truth.

His,
Rev J

Amen Rev J!

 

[MrJim]

I certainly appreciate those of you who have taken the time to contribute to this thread.

Your words are true, and full of grace.

However, there is something specific that I am trying to get others to notice here. John gives us a method to godly joy in his words. Whether he did this intentionally or not, it is there.

What might it be?

Scripture tells us a lot of things.

What is this passage telling us?

Look closely.

Is it that John is saying he and the others have all seen and bear witness to Christ and we can be part of that fellowship too?

And truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.

When John wrote the 1John letter obviously Christ had already risen, and here he is saying "...our fellowship is with..." instead of "..our fellowship was with...".

 

[JPPT1974]

Our joy is full in Jesus
Because REAL joy comes in and
Through a relationship in and with Him!

 

[woobadooba]

Is it that John is saying he and the others have all seen and bear witness to Christ and we can be part of that fellowship too?

And truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.

When John wrote the 1John letter obviously Christ had already risen, and here he is saying "...our fellowship is with..." instead of "..our fellowship was with...".

Let's take a closer look at the passage...

"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, (for the Life was revealed, and we have seen it and bear witness, and show to you the everlasting Life, who was with the Father and was revealed to us), that which we have seen and heard we declare unto you, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And we write these things to you so that your joy may be full." (1Jn 1:1-4)

They heard the words of Jesus Christ, which were filled with grace and truth. Do we hear Him today? If not, what is it that is keeping us from hearing Him?

They had seen the character of Christ. Do we see Him as He is, today? If not, what is keeping us from seeing Him for who He really is?

They looked upon Him, and understood Him to be just as real as they were. Can we say the same about Jesus? What are we looking for in life? Are we still looking for the Christ? Have we really found Him? What does it mean to find Him? How real is He to us? Do we merely talk about Him while not believing what He has said about Himself, or do we take everything that He has said to heart, and accept it as fact?

Their hands have handled Him. What are we holding in our hands? Perhaps there's something in them that we haven't let go of yet, something that is keeping us from handling what God wants us to hold within our hands. What about our works, what do they testify of?

They bore witness of Jesus Christ. Are we doing the same? If not, why? How often do we talk about Jesus? Do we talk about Him as though He were just a casual thought for good discussion, or do we share Him with others, and thereby speak of Him as The God whom we love and allow to have the most influence over our lives?

They sought to show others The Everlasting Life. How is this possible? What does it mean to show others The Everlasting Life (hint: This is a trick question)?

All of these things play a part in bringing about the fullness of joy. If we aren't experiencing that joy today, then we must be missing one of these elements. For, without having all of them working within our lives, we can't possibly know what it means to have true joy in Jesus Christ.

Would anyone else care to expound more on these things?

 

[woobadooba]

Bumping this for further discussion

 

[MrJim]

Let's take a closer look at the passage...

"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, (for the Life was revealed, and we have seen it and bear witness, and show to you the everlasting Life, who was with the Father and was revealed to us), that which we have seen and heard we declare unto you, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And we write these things to you so that your joy may be full." (1Jn 1:1-4)

They heard the words of Jesus Christ, which were filled with grace and truth. Do we hear Him today? If not, what is it that is keeping us from hearing Him?

They had seen the character of Christ. Do we see Him as He is, today? If not, what is keeping us from seeing Him for who He really is?

They looked upon Him, and understood Him to be just as real as they were. Can we say the same about Jesus? What are we looking for in life? Are we still looking for the Christ? Have we really found Him? What does it mean to find Him? How real is He to us? Do we merely talk about Him while not believing what He has said about Himself, or do we take everything that He has said to heart, and accept it as fact?

Their hands have handled Him. What are we holding in our hands? Perhaps there's something in them that we haven't let go of yet, something that is keeping us from handling what God wants us to hold within our hands. What about our works, what do they testify of?

They bore witness of Jesus Christ. Are we doing the same? If not, why? How often do we talk about Jesus? Do we talk about Him as though He were just a casual thought for good discussion, or do we share Him with others, and thereby speak of Him as The God whom we love and allow to have the most influence over our lives?

They sought to show others The Everlasting Life. How is this possible? What does it mean to show others The Everlasting Life (hint: This is a trick question)?

All of these things play a part in bringing about the fullness of joy. If we aren't experiencing that joy today, then we must be missing one of these elements. For, without having all of them working within our lives, we can't possibly know what it means to have true joy in Jesus Christ.

Would anyone else care to expound more on these things?

On seeing the Christ I'm reminded of:

Matt25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me

Then all the passages about the church being the Body of Christ would have to play into this too.

Christ is seen today in His Church and in the least of these: 35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

 

[woobadooba]

On seeing the Christ I'm reminded of:

Matt25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me

Then all the passages about the church being the Body of Christ would have to play into this too.

Christ is seen today in His Church and in the least of these: 35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

On this point this is precisely what I am looking for.

So often we fail to understand that in order to see Christ we must first come to know what it means to see things through His eyes, to perceive the world as He does, to see people for who they really are, and not what we falsely make them out to be because we allow some personal bias or stereotype to impede our vision.

Of course, we can't fathom the depths of His knowledge of us in its entirety, but we sure can see what He would have us to by simply taking the time to understand that He can be found in the places where most would least expect to find Him. That is, His love is not limited, but can be found everywhere, as it is given to all freely.

Now then, what of hearing the words of Jesus Christ?

Does anyone want to share what they think this means?