“And we write these things to you, that our joy may be fulfilled.”

These truths about Jesus Christ the eternal Son of God are written that we might know them and in knowing them, be found by Him and being in Him, we will rejoice. The truth is that only in Christ are we made whole and happy and only in Him is there true joy, for we have peace with God. This passing world talks of joy, but it has none in real terms. It is a passing, transient and temporary joy that depends on world- oriented things to sustain its existence in our minds. It is not a deep and lasting joy, given to us by God, through faith in Jesus Christ our Saviour. In fact, by definition it is not joy at all, for joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit and only a life in-dwelt by the Holy Spirit can know or exhibit that joy.

“Therefore with joy you will draw water out of the wells of salvation.”

Isaiah 12:3

Peace with God through salvation is the only way to lasting peace and joy. This is because it depends on God and not us, or anything around us. It a transcendent peace that is linked with our eternal life, the gift from the Father when we come to Him in repentance and faith. Joy is the gift we receive when we come to God and as we know Christ better in our lives, so our joy increases. As we read and meditate on Christ as revealed in the Word of God, so we grow in all the graces and our joy is full.

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Romans 15:13

As our Christian life gets closer to God, as we obey and live in the light of His Word so our joy is made complete and our fellowship with one another grows, deepens and is clearly seen. Christians should be happy people, rejoicing in the joy they possess by the Spirit and victorious over circumstances. Only the power of God through the working of the Holy Spirit can bring this to pass in a life.