That Your Joy May Be Full

That Your Joy May Be Full

“If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” Read John 15:9-14.

Everyone is seeking joy. Here Jesus shows us a way to perfect joy. We find this joy by keeping His commandments and abiding in His love. This way to joy does not agree with our human nature, because it shrinks back from the commandments. If anyone proclaims Jesus’ commandments, people are apt to reply that it is bondage, and that one should speak a little bit about joy as well and about what Jesus has done for us. The thing that makes people glad is hearing about what Jesus has done for them, what He wants to give them, and what they can avoid doing. They possess the love that rejoices over everything they can receive from God—they rejoice more because of the gifts rather than the Giver—but this is not love for God’s commandments. Christ rejoiced over God’s commandments. This love results in perfect joy. Therefore Jesus’ last commandment to the disciples was, “Make disciples of all the nations . . . teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.” Those who keep His commandments abide in His love. Jesus said this so that His joy might remain in us, and that our joy might be full.

It is more blessed to give than to receive. Our joy is great when we receive forgiveness for our sins, but it becomes full when we forgive everyone who sins against us. Our joy is great because Jesus has given His life for us, but it becomes full when we lay down our life for the brethren. Our joy is great when we are shown mercy, but it becomes full when we show mercy. Our joy is great because of everything Jesus has done for us, but it will become perfect by keeping all His commandments. Therefore it is vital to lay hold of the love of Christ, because it gives. The result will be an abundance of love and joy. Jesus’ life was one continuous sacrifice. It was a constant “give.” He has taught us to go the same way and commanded us to teach it to others, so that His joy can abide in us and our joy can be full. This joy is unchangeable in life’s many changing situations and trials. There is no fault in it, and no one can take it away from us. It is perfect.