That Your Joy May Be Full

“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, concerning the Word of life-- the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us-- that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.” 1John 1:1-4

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, concerning the Word of life—
This is a declaration that John and the apostles have heard, seen, looked upon, and touched the Living Word—which is Jesus Christ sent from Heaven.
Focus on the phrase: “which we have looked upon.” This indicates that they did more than simply “SEE” Jesus. The fact that they “looked upon” Jesus suggests that they gazed at, watched closely, paid attention to him. They didn’t just “see” him in passing, or see him and know who he was—they studied him, spent time in his presence, watched his actions. This was a relationship…not just a “sight to see.”

The life we manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the father and was manifested to us—
“that eternal life” is Jesus. Why? Because eternal life comes through him, no other (John 3:16). And it was manifested—it wasn’t just some dream or vision…they were physically in his presence. He was a physical being.

“That which we have seen and heard we declare to you.” They are sharing what they have seen and heard…not hording it, not keeping it to themselves for Sunday Mornings. They are sharing. But Why? This is answered in the next phrase:
“That you also my have fellowship with us” It is John’s desire to fellowship with us, but more importantly
“Truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.” They share with us so that we might fellowship with Christ.
But why is it important that we fellowship with Christ? Because without Christ we cannot fellowship with God. In John 14:6-7, Jesus says: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.” If we know Christ, we know God…and if we have seen Christ, we have seen God.
In Verses 20-21 Jesus says, “At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in You. He who has my commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to Him.” How Awesome is that statement that last statement? If we love Christ, not only will God love us, but Christ will also manifest himself to us. The evidence of his life will be made known to us and will be made evident in our lives as well.

The question remains, however: Why does John bother writing to us? What is his driving force? What is his reason for sharing Christ and Christ’s love with us? Verse four answers this question: "And These things we write to you that your joy may be full."

John writes to us, not for his own recognition, not for notoriety, not for fame or fortune. He writes to us because he wants us to have lives full of joy. Here are some examples of this joy:
Romans 15:13 “joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the Holy Spirit”
Hebrews 1:9 (which is a quote of Psalm 45:7) “You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness, therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness more than your companions.”

John 15:9-11 “As the Father loved me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”

So we learn just from the first four verses of 1John that a life lived in Christ, a life lived studying and watching and sharing and believing and obeying Christ is a life that is full of joy. John’s life was evidently this way, as he had such a heart to share it with others. And we also, should desire to live our lives as John lived his, sharing Christ’s love with others that their joy may be full as our joy is full in Christ Jesus.