A young lady said to her fiance, “I just want to be happy,” and he responded, “I just want to be happy too, and as long as everything goes my way, I will be happy.” Isn't that the way happiness usually works? As long as everything is going exactly the way a person wants it, they are happy, but the minute things go against them, happiness subsides. “The light turned red when I wanted it green; She was great when we were first married, but the moment she got the ring, she changed; As long as the coach is winning we will be happy with him, but the moment a loss or two occur, watch out;” These are just a few examples of how quickly “happiness” is substituted for another emotion. Happiness is fleeting, but joy endures for a lifetime, and “joy” is one of the reasons that the Apostle John writes the book of First John.
And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
John wrote these words in verse four of chapter one in the book of First John immediately after sharing his personal connection with Jesus. John saw, heard, looked upon and experienced Jesus personally. He was an eyewitness to Jesus' transfiguration, going to heaven, and walking among men. If anyone knew what it meant to have joy, John did. John's desire was that every person would have a relationship with Jesus, and the derivative of that relationship would be “joy” that is full. It would be joy that is not dependent upon circumstances or situations but would be a joy deep within that continues no matter what its surroundings might be.
Other disciples of Jesus wrote about this joy. Peter who was also an eyewitness to Jesus wrote of “joy unspeakable” to those who have not seen Jesus yet:
Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see [him] not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
Peter proclaimed that the joy that comes from believing in Jesus is so wonderful that words cannot describe it.
Paul the Apostle wrote:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Paul declares that joy is a direct offspring of the fruit of the Spirit which is love. Those who know and believe in Jesus receive the Holy Spirit, and the result is a joy that is deep within which cannot be moved by win or loss, your way or not your way, or any other factor that may try to remove it.
If for no other reason, the book of First John should be read so that a person's joy may be full. John is faithful to declare the way to have full joy in this tiny five chapter book, and those who are wise will dive into the truth that is laid out before them to receive joy that goes beyond words.
Until tomorrow...there is more...
Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, find locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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