Making Our Joy Complete

Making Our Joy Complete

I John 1:4-8

            “I have the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart—down in my heart to stay”

 These are the words of a favourite children’s song which emphasizes a heartfelt ideal of the joy of knowing Jesus and being really happy in living one’s life in His way.

But do we really know the joy of the Lord? And what makes our joy complete? Jesus.

He is the one who was from the beginning, heard, seen, looked at, touched, and is the Word of Life. And this life is Jesus whom God raised from death. But we must ask, do you believe in this Word of Life so much that you have complete joy? Do you believe that Jesus within you brings you joy?

            What obstacles do you face which might deter you from having complete joy?

1)      not walking in the light of God—but in darkness

2)      free from sin/ know no sin- not true to ourselves—we all sin and go against Christ’s teaching because we are humans who have the gift of thinking and choosing alternatives.

3)      lie about not ever sinning—we are hypocritical. The church is made up of sinners who seek forgiveness in God through Jesus Christ. Each of us must make that first step of knowing we will sin again but can seek forgiveness through Jesus Christ.

Our joy will only be complete when we walk in the light, when we confess our sins and when we admit that we do sin and are willing to confess/ admit it to God.

 Have you acknowledged your shortcomings your wrongdoings lately? Maybe this is why we need to look at who we are and what we do as people of faith and what those obstacles which prevent us from firmly knowing the joy of the Lord.  Maybe we need to find the joy in our lives and renew our faith in Jesus.

           

PRAYER

We praise you Holy God for giving to us joy in Jesus Christ for his death and resurrection enables us to  grow in faith and to be forgiven of all sin. We praise you God for the gift of joy, complete joy which we each strive to attain.

Enable us to know you and to love you as we seek to renew our joy in you. Amen.

           

BLOG QUESTION:

At this moment, what is making you feel happy/ sad/ confused/ satisfied? Are you happy in your life, or worried and anxious? Where do you find the joy in your life? How do you renew this joy from Christ Jesus and is it possible to have fully and ultimate ‘complete’ joy?