Today’s Encouragement is, “We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy.” 1 John 1:4 NLT
Share Our Joy –
Several times in chapters 1 & 2, John mentions, “I am writing.” He mentions this to make plain his purpose in composing this letter. He wants to be clearly understood.
John was one of Jesus’s closest disciples. As Jesus was dying on the cross, He entrusted his precious mother, Mary, into John’s care! John knew Jesus better than most! And this beloved disciple wrote the book of John, three letters, and the Revelation!
He explains to us here that He writes all these words, books, letters, his own experiences with Jesus and with God, for one reason –
So that we may fully share his joy!
We don’t think much about Joy; it is a rather elusive concept to most of us. But this is the essence of John’s writing. If we miss it, we miss the Joy!
John didn’t say that his purpose was to create deep spiritual knowledge or a record of historical events and experiences; he didn’t express interest in being remembered, memorialized, or in any other personal recognition. He writes for one reason – that you and I could fully share his joy!
And that’s the appropriate response to reading God’s word, my friend. Joy!
His burden is light.
We can cast all our cares on Him.
We are clean, forgiven, and our sins are forgotten.
We are reborn, new creations
We are adopted into God’s family.
What more do we need to experience His Joy?
Father, open our eyes to our new identity in Christ! Help us to experience and fully share in Your Joy!
Joy of the Lord
Rend Collective
https://youtu.be/fcG9HApTC_Q?si=zOqFaenW8uxFVcfs