John 15:11
These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
Tag: Joy Flows for Those In Christ
Note John's further thoughts on joy:
John 16:24
Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
(Joy comes as a gift from God)
John 17:13
But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
(Joy comes from hearing and obeying God's Word)
1 John 1:4
And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
(Joy comes from hearing and obeying God's Word)
2 John 1:12
Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete.
(Joy comes when believers live in harmony with each other centered around Christ)
Jesus died to give us joy!! We have joy when we bear fruit in Christ and love one another. Complete and fulfilling joy is not an "individual" quality based upon "personal" circumstances. In the context of the verse in chapter 15 we see that joy is a result of bearing fruit while united with Christ. The fruit we bear is love for others ... sacrificial love ... like Christ's love for us. Therefore, joy is not something to strive for but a fruit, given to us by God, as we "abide" in Him and think like He thinks. It is obvious from the above verses that God wants us to have Joy. God wants the joy to be overflowing and complete and abundant in our lives. The way we do that is to abide in Christ and to obey His word by loving others. Right after this verse Jesus explains what it means to love others:
John 15:12-13
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
So, joy and love are not separated. You can't have joy unless you love and if you love you will have joy.
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