Complete Joy

1 John 1:4 We write this to make our joy complete.
 
HOW does “to make our joy complete” impact you? Do you think such an emotion is possible? After all, doesn’t life always come up with something to block “complete joy” from our lives? Our lives do not escape some level of trouble do they?
     Yet, John, whom the world persecuted and the church challenged, was expecting complete joy in response to his letter. How would such emotion occur?
      To answer, let’s go to two expressions of Jesus’ joy. Remember, to be Jesus’ disciple is to speak, think, act and love more and more as Jesus models (Note, this is present tense. He is modeling how to live now because he is alive.) for us. First we read Jesus’ response to 72 disciples who in the Spirit’s power have ministered healing and exorcisms. People have been saved from suffering! These first gospel ministers are excited. Here then, is our Lord’s response to their excitement to see God transform lives: Luke 10:20 “However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” 21 At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.”
     Then in Jesus’ prayer just prior to his crucifixion we read in John 17:13 “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.”
     What is joy? Joy is salvation.
     Jesus urged the 72 disciples to look past the immediate physical and spiritual healings God had done through them to see the eternal reward God had chosen for them. Rejoice! Your names are written in heaven. Be joyful this is God’s will done on earth to save his own. Second, in his prayer, Jesus rejoices in his disciples’ separation from the world. Praise is on Jesus’ lips; jo is in his heart because they are now forever destined for eternity.
     This is God’s “joy plan” and purpose from days of old: Isaiah 51:11 The ransomed of the Lord will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.
     John wrote the gospel, the prophecy of Revelation and his epistles (teaching letters) to proclaim Chris was born, lived, crucified, dead, buried, risen, ascended and coming again. He wrote God had come to save. He affirmed all who believe will be saved (John 3) He taught there is the way of death, and there is the way of life. These things he and others have written and spoken through the ages to reveal God’s way to the world. Such teachers do this for the glory of God and the salvation of all who believe. The apostle’s joy will be complete for the same reason as Jesus’ joy. People are saved to eternal life.
 
Life Thought: Know the Lord rejoices in your salvation. Remember your purpose to tell the gospel.