Full Joy

I John 1:1-4

I saw a report that said 40 percent of adults and 30 percent of children and adolescents struggle with anxiety. Is it any wonder that this is the case when America continues to become more Godless? When our lives are not built on a strong foundation, when we are not rooted in THE TRUTH, and when we do not have an unshakeable rock that we are secured to, what do we think it going to happen in our lives and in the lives of our children?

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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, the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.

I John 1:1-4

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John begins this letter by making a statement about something eternal. This is something that existed from the beginning. There is only one "THAT" which was from the beginning. Everything was created, except "THAT" which created all things. The "THAT" which John speaks of is God. John goes on to say that we have heard, seen with our eyes, looked upon, and our hands have handled the Word of life. Remember that he began his epistle (letter) with "In the beginning was the Word". He told us that the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1). John starts this letter to this group of believers talking about that same Word, which is Jesus. This life was manifested or displayed to them in the form of Jesus Christ. He came to "declare to you that eternal life". John tells them that the "eternal life" was with the Father. In other words, eternal life is not a thing, but it is a person.

The purpose of teaching and preaching, John says in verse 3, is so that others may have fellowship with us. The "us" is John and other believers. John goes on to say, "truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ". In other words, for Christians to have fellowship with one another, they must have fellowship with God through Jesus Christ. That is what unites us. Though we are all different, we can be connected in unity because of our having Christ in common. It is not just the fact of Christ in our lives, but it is the ongoing close-knit relationship with Christ that allows us to have the same relationship with other Christians.

John finishes his introduction by saying that he is writing these things so that the readers' "joy may be full". Joy in the life of a saved person is not a guarantee. It is predicated upon the believer's relationship of fellowship with Jesus. If the relationship falters, so will the believer's joy. John said that he was writing so that the readers could experience the fullness of the joy that was available to them (and us) in Jesus.

So many in our churches are anxious, depressed, and miserable because they do not choose to experience the joy that is available to them. They do not pursue an ongoing relationship with Jesus. They treat eternal life as a thing which they have obtained, rather than a person they are in a relationship with. When life feels like it is more than they can bear, then they question why God is not helping them. The reality is that they are not pursuing help because they are not pursuing God.

The great English preacher, Charles Spurgeon, was prone to depression. When he found himself depressed, he would leave London and go off alone to spend time with God. To overcome his depression, he knew that he had to increase his fellowship with God, not decrease it. When he felt restored and reinvigorated, he would return to his duties as a pastor and teacher in London. It was God that helped him overcome the depression and despair. It was God that gave him "full joy".

Father, thank You for being the rock on which we can anchor our lives. I pray that we would understand that full joy is found in a relationship with You and not just being familiar with who You are. We must pursue You. May we all do better at this!