That which we have
seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us:
and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And
these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
A good author has a purpose before he starts writing. As he
pens his thoughts down, and they work out sequentially from his mind through
his hand, his way of thinking is revealed. Here in 1 John, John doesn’t hide
his motives. He plainly lists a multi-layered purpose for writing this epistle
to his readers. First – the things that he saw Jesus do and heard Jesus say, he
wants to tell and teach to the readers. But this is not purely didactic. He is
not simply striving to layout a systematic theology for his readers to embrace
and to subsequently live with a new set of rules “from the mouth of Jesus.”
It’s not true to simplify his motive as teaching his readers WWJD (what would
Jesus do?). Rather His motive goes deeper. It is a far greater purpose for his
readers than to simply inform them of Who Jesus was, and what Jesus did.
Rather, He had a second layer of purpose in instructing them in the truths of
Christ. This second purpose is expressed clearly in 1 John 1:4 – “These things
write we unto you, that your Joy may be full.” He is saying, “Without this
life-changing, soul-liberating truth from the life and mouth of Jesus, you will
not fully understand what it means to find joy.” “Learning this truth isn’t
just so you can answer all the right questions about your faith, but so that in
your life of faith, joy and purpose can be had.” John wanted to make sure his
readers understood that he had their best interests at heart as he began this
massive treatise on life and holiness in the light of God’s truth. And God has
our interests at heart when He gives us the truth of this epistle. God is not a
stoic, joy-hating God. Rather scripture seems to argue here that greatest joy
is found in a deep knowledge and understanding of the truth of Who Jesus is and
what He desires from us.
Food For Thought:
Read Psalm 16:7-11. In this text, what is the connection of increasing in the
understanding of God’s truth and finding joy?
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