1 John 1:3-4 English Standard Version
3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And we are writing these things so that our[a] joy may be complete.
John writes so that we will have fellowship with him and all those who hold to faith in Jesus Christ. The word fellowship here is the Greek word koinonia and it means fellowship, communion, sharing, participation. A term that conveys a sense of commonality, solidarity, and shared responsibility among households or individuals.[1] Our ability to have access into God’s kingdom and God’s community is through Jesus Christ alone. He is the door. It is only through Him that we can truly experience koinonia. It is a fellowship in which we connect with God and connect with other believers. We must remember Jesus said where two or more gather together He is there in their midst. Fellowship in the body of Christ is a powerful and supernatural thing.
John again emphasizes that he is an eye witness. He writes that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you. John had personally walked with Jesus, he saw the miracles and the ministry, he heard firsthand the teaching from Jesus and the gospel. It is through the proclamation about the truth and Goodnews of Jesus Christ that people are saved and the invitation extended to enter into God’s kingdom. God has provided a way for men to be saved, and it is through Jesus Christ alone.
The fellowship presented here is not only with the community of believers, but also with The Father and The Son. It is access to God’s kingdom and God’s community. It is not something that is earned or based on performance or behavior. It is solely based on knowing Jesus and walking with Him. For if we have come to saving faith in Jesus Christ our desire is going to be for God and His kingdom. We will no longer be able to remain in sin. Though we still face temptation, our desire as we walk with Christ daily and are transformed by the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit will be for the Lord. Our desires within us with supernaturally change and align with the purposes of God. It is impossible to accomplish the purposes of God and become the person God has called us to be in our own strength.
The word joy is the Greek word chara), n. joy. Joy (emotion) — the emotion of great happiness and pleasure.[2] The enemy will tempt us with many things and will lie to us telling us if we chase after that which is appealing to the eye and flesh, we will find true happiness and pleasure. But true happiness and pleasure is only found in knowing Jesus. When we come to know and experience the tangible presence of Almighty God, we will desire it on a greater level. It will become our obsession, and we will desire to encounter Him every moment of every day. This is only possible through Jesus Christ. John writes and we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. The word complete is the Greek word plēroō and it means fulfill; complete; fill. To finish — to come or bring to a finish or an end.[3] Our joy will only be made complete and fulfilled if we come to Jesus Christ. There is nothing this world offers that will satisfy. Everything Satan offers is a mere counterfeit to the truth that is found in Jesus Christ. May we run to Him today. May we build our lives upon Him and His kingdom. May we be the sons and daughters He has called us to be.
Prayer
Father thank you for loving me. Thank you for sending Jesus. Help me to grow in you each and every day. Jesus help me to know you in greater and more intimate ways. Remove anything from my life that would grieve you or hinder your work in my life. Holy Spirit help me to know your voice. Help me to be the person you have created me to be. May your name Jesus be glorified through my life.
Reflection question: Is your joy truly found in Jesus Christ? Have you allowed other things to take the place that He alone deserves? If you are not experiencing the fullness of the joy that is found in Jesus, I encourage right now to go before the Lord and ask Him to fill you with the abundance of His joy and to reveal if there is anything hindering His work.
[1] Derek Leigh Davis, “Assembly, Religious,” ed. Douglas Mangum et al., Lexham Theological Wordbook, Lexham Bible Reference Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014).
[2] Rick Brannan, ed., Lexham Research Lexicon of the Greek New Testament, Lexham Research Lexicons (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2020).
[3] Rick Brannan, ed., Lexham Research Lexicon of the Greek New Testament, Lexham Research Lexicons (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2020).
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