Joyfulness

"And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full." - I John 1:4

We believers in Christ have a great peace in that the entire Bible, and specifically the first book of John, was written for us. It gives us life in the gospel of Jesus Christ. It gives us comfort in being reminded that we have fellowship with God though the world hates us. And it gives us joy in Jesus who has overcome the world.

God has preserved His holy Scripture in love that we may know Him. We can always find comfort and strength in what God has revealed to us in written Word. Reading the Bible consistently is a key part of the fellowship we have in God, and our joy will not be full without it.

There aren't many things which bring more joy than a marriage and the birth of a child. These are shadows to what believers experience spiritually with Christ. At the moment of conversion we see ourselves fully incapable and Christ fully capable. We trust that His righteousness has covered our unrighteousness. At that time we are birthed into new life in spirit through faith. And in that new life we are wed to our glorious Savior. He cares for our needs and watches us grow in His love. Truly, there is no greater joy than that which is given by Jesus both in this life and the one to come!

Consider also: Psalm 12:6,7; Psalm 16:11

Fellowship With Jesus

"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, of the Word of life;

(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)

That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ." - I John 1:1-3

It is a wonderful thing that Jesus Christ, our Savior, has been with us since the beginning. He certainly did not abandon His creation as we see numerous appearances of Christ throughout the Old Testament, in figure, type, prophesy, and even in human form. But He was not yet God incarnate dwelling among men. 

Yet, in the fullness of time Jesus was manifested unto us. He lived with us and taught us, yea, even died for our sins and arose from the grave! Oh! the assurances we have in this! He defeated death! Not only did He defeat death He confirmed it in the presence of many witnesses, whose accounts remain even to our day. Also, while Jesus's resurrection does supply those who believe in Him with eternal life it also grants them true and pure fellowship with each other, with Jesus, and with Almighty God. In this there is great joy!

Consider also: John 1:14; I Corinthians 1:9; Psalm 5:11,12

The Wonderful Adoption

"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not." - I John 3:1

The first book of John is undeniably pregnant with truths and great resources for the believer in Jesus Christ. It is easy to hang on every verse and weigh it next to our lives when we need reassurance in the faith. Sometimes we get so caught up when we sin that we may question if indeed we are saved. Often we feel the rejection of the world when we focus on what we see in the flesh and not what God has done in the spirit. Our Lord has faithfully provided His Word to sustain us through all aspects of life.

One of those great assurances is for us to remember that we are indeed adopted into the family of God if we have faith in Jesus. Adoption is a wonderful thing. The castaway being brought in and cared for with unmerited love and favor. In light of this relationship we know that we are forever protected unto eternal life in the presence of the Almighty! No amount of toil can sever this tie. No pain, sickness, injustice, persecution, nor even death can ever separate us from the love of God!

Dear believer, rest assured in the promises of God! For his love is bestowed upon you through Christ!

Consider also: Romans 8:14-18; Ephesians 1:3-6; John 15:17-21; Luke 6:27-38 

Let God: Part Two

Does every tongue that utters a phrase about "letting" God do whatever belong to a soul that is evil whose intent is to drag listeners to the depths of hell? No, of course not. The error isn't in the terminology but the intent. In fact, a biblical understanding of God's sovereignty allows us to see that He is in total control of every detail in the universe and that nothing is outside of His attention.