1 John 1:4 And these things write we to you, that your joy may be full. "These things." What things? The mediatorial person and office of Christ and the fellowship to which they lead. It is assumed that the fulness of joy arises out of the fellowship which is produced by the knowledge of Christ. I. THE FULNESS OF JOY SPRINGS OUT OF "FELLOWSHIP WITH THE FATHER." This is self-evident. Suppose a sinner so to see and confide in God as his Father that he may be said to have fellowship with Him, enjoying a sense of His favour, and reciprocating it with a feeling of love, it is plain he must be happy in God. It is ever so regarded in the Scriptures. When God invites sinners to forsake the fellowship of the ungodly and to come into communion with Himself, it is in these words (2 Corinthians 6:17, 18). The promise by which the invitation is enforced is supposed to secure true blessedness to all who shall enjoy it. A brief contemplation of what may be expected from God as Father will make this statement plain. A father is ready to pardon his children. A father has tender sympathy with his children. Their joys and sorrows are all his own. A father teaches his children. What he knows himself he makes known to them. He does so that they may know how to choose the good and refuse the evil. A father corrects his children. Observe, then, how an inspired apostle applies this thought (Hebrews 12:9). A father encourages his children. A father protects his children. A father provides for his children. Suppose, now, that this view of God is realised. What, then, ought to be his joy? II. FULNESS OF JOY SPRINGS OUT OF "FELLOWSHIP WITH HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST." Besides the happiness thus derived from God, however, there is a fresh source of joy opened up to the believer in Christ Himself. 1. First, His person is such as to call forth this affection. He is "God manifest in the flesh." He has become such for the very purpose of being a Saviour of men. 2. Again, the work of Christ affords matter of joy. "He died the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God." "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, having been made a curse for us." His work is perfect, and the sinner who is willing to accept it is presented with a full and free salvation. 3. His gracious offices, still continued, must farther heighten the joy of all who have fellowship with Him in them. 4. Once more we have the Spirit of Christ and the blessed promises of which He is the fulfiller. 5. To all this must be added His everlasting covenant. All the blessings He bestows are secured by covenant, and nothing is omitted which is needful for His people. III. THE FULNESS OF JOY IS GREATLY CONFIRMED BY FELLOWSHIP WITH BELIEVERS. They instruct one another. How much we owe to the society of the wise and good! The interchange of thought is a principal means of advancement in knowledge. Believers encourage one another. We should aim at being useful to those with whom we are associated. Believers should warn one another. "Thou shalt not suffer sin upon thy brother, but rebuke him." By pursuing such a course it is easy to see how the fellowship of Christians would tend to the fulness of their icy. (James Morgan, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.WEB: And we write these things to you, that our joy may be fulfilled. |
    |