Fullness of Joy and True Community

Notes on 1 John 1:1–10 and 2:1

“These things declare/write we unto you…”

-       “that ye may have fellowship with us”

-       “that your joy may be full”

-       “that ye sin not”

If our joy is full, we have no more desire for the “pleasure” of sin; we are already full of joy, so that there is no desire or room for anything else.

For example, if we’ve just eaten a big, satisfying meal of healthy food, then junk food loses its temptation and appeal because we’re already full. This is how it is with sin, too. Sin is like the junk food. If we are not full of God’s joy, then we will be easily tempted to fill up our emptiness with the pleasures that the world offers. *

And not only this, but when we have fellowship with others whose joy is also full of the same, we have positive peer pressure to “sin not”.  This is the purpose and great benefit of true community.

And what are “these things” that promise to fill our emptiness so that we have no more desire to sin? “…that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.” Not just the theoretical statement, but the practical experience of John and his fellow disciples—not just hearing and seeing, but “handling”.

Darkness is a synonym/symbol for sin. Darkness cannot remain while there is light; likewise, sin cannot remain if we are walking in the light. Darkness is a cover for sin, making it easy to hide from others. But if we are walking in the light, it means we have nothing to hide. Therefore, true fellowship and community means that we have nothing to hide from each other, because we have a clear conscience with God and with each other. Wouldn’t it be awesome to be part of such a community, where everyone is honest and transparent with each other, because nobody has anything to hide? We can have such a community through Christ. If the first-century apostles could have it, so can we!

Reflection: What is my practical experience with the “Word of life”?  What have I seen, heard, beheld, and handled, that can bring fullness of joy to others? Am I an active part of a joyful, supportive faith community, where there is positive peer pressure to stay close to God and walk in His light?

Personal Response: I have seen how God has supported and sustained me and filled me with joy as I surrender to His will, even when it goes against my personal hopes and dreams. There is no darkness of discouragement or despair when I surrender all to Him. Instead, He fills my heart with the light of His love and the promise that He will not withhold any good thing from me. And when I start to forget, then I have an entire community of friends and adopted family who remind me of God’s promises and leading in my life. What more could I ask?