Our Joy May Be Full.

1Jn 1:1  That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; 

1Jn 1:2  (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) 

1Jn 1:3  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. 

1Jn 1:4  And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. 

Loved unconditionally- this is joy- this is Christ Jesus.

Fellowship with Jesus, fellowship with the Father- is there anything more joyful? 

We can have the knowledge of truth, and that knowledge brings understanding as the Holy Spirit enlightens us.

We are sinners. We are filthy sinners. Even the kindest person upon earth is a sinner. The only ones exempt from sin are those who are innocent through youth, and through mental impairment, these have no knowledge of sin or its consequences. Only those who comprehend can be held accountable.  We are sinners and as sinners we are separated from our Creator by our sins. Having a way to overcome that separation and be reunited with our Creator is miraculous. Through NO effort of our own are we able to redeem ourselves. We are presented with the truth of salvation and told we get to choose to accept it or not. Salvation will never be forced upon a single person.

We can choose salvation.

What does it mean to choose salvation? It means we choose to be reunited with our Creator, and then in turn be the creatures He created us to be. Salvation doesn't mean a trouble free life on earth. As long as sin exists we will be at war with it. Salvation assures us of victory over all sin, because our Savior already gained that victory and promises us His victory. So while we live here and now, we can have that promised hope and that promised hope gives us fellowship with our Savior, with the Father God, with the Holy Spirit and this is our JOY, that knowledge is our JOY, that HOPE is our JOY.