1 John 1:4 (amplified version) --- We are writing these things to you so that our joy [in seeing you included] may be made complete [by having you share in the joy of salvation].
Today in my quiet time I found myself jumping from verse 3 yesterday to verse 5, which starts a new section of the first chapter. Well, I struggled and struggled with hearing anything, and I realized I was almost stressed over it. So, I stopped, took a breath, and talked to the Lord about it.
As I told Him of my struggle to hear Him as I read verse 5 and it was becoming a stress, I sensed this gentle little nudge to go back to verse 4. You know what? He was waiting for me there. I had sat down to study verse 5 as my plan, my study time, my understanding... not realizing I walked right past the Lord and sat down at table by myself. He was here the whole time I just went into things focused on me, what I wanted out of today, not on simply sitting at His feet to listen and be with Him.
With that being said, things were simple today. In fellowship and intimate relationship with the Lord and with other Christians there is a completion of joy. Joy is made full.
I read this in David Guzzik's commentary: "The result of fellowship is fullness of joy. This joy is an abiding sense of optimism and cheerfulness based on God, as opposed to happiness, which is a sense of optimism and cheerfulness based on circumstances."
When we walk in fellowship with the Lord and others, we find something there that is not based on our circumstances, feelings, or emotions. We find something from God that cannot be shaken or taken.
Joy is what Paul had from his relationship with the Lord when in Acts 16:25 he and Silas are singing hymns and worshipping the Lord at midnight, while shackled in prison! They weren't happy. There's nothing happy about being thrown in prison and shackled for loving Jesus and helping a lady. NO... they had JOY!! Better yet they chose joy because they focused on Him and not their circumstances!
If you are a follower of Jesus Christ and you do not have joy, it's a serious matter. You need to get with Him and start discussing it right away.
I close out with two final things from the commentary I read. Both are really good. A bit long winded I know, sorry...not sorry.. LOL.
i. The Christian’s joy is important, and assaulted on many fronts. External circumstances, moods and emotions, or sin can all take away our joy. Yet the Christian’s joy is not found in the things of this world, as good as they might be. When John wrote about these things, he wrote about this relationship of fellowship and love we can share in with God the Father and the Son Jesus Christ.
ii. Too many Christians are passive in their loss of joy. They need to realize it is a great loss and do everything they can to draw close to God and reclaim that fullness of joy. “If any of you have lost the joy of the Lord. I pray you do not think it a small loss.” (Spurgeon)
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