How to Experience Joy: 1 John 1:4

“And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full” — 1 John 1:4 KJV

This verse reveals God’s desire to fill His people with joy. Why then is joy alluding us? How can we tap into the joy of the Lord? God’s plan for you is fullness of joy.

Karl Marx said, “The first requisite for happiness is the abolition of religion.” Of course he’d say that – all it does is convict and condemn a person unless they give their life to Christ. Unbelievers experience less joy and happiness around Christianity because of being uncomfortable in the presence of God. Believers could learn from this quote, applying it in a somewhat different way than he intended. We need to get rid of religiosity and get Jesus back in the church.

Augustine said, “There is a joy which isn’t given to the ungodly, that of those who love thee for thine own sake, whose joy thou thyself art; and this is the happy life to rejoice in thee, and of thee. This is it and there is none other.”

G.K. Chesterton said, “Joy is the gigantic secret of the Christian life.” What a true statement. The problem is the church has lost its joy and therefore the secret of its life. Let’s get some joy back into the church and our lives as believers!

There is a vast difference between joy and happiness. Chuck Smith defined joy in this way: “Happiness is the level of the soul dependent on outward circumstances (nothing there to ruffle things), whereas joy is a spiritual quality independent of outward circumstances.”

Jesus’ joy didn’t come from this world’s goods. In fact, scripture seems to indicate He lived on somewhat of a sub-poverty level. When taxes were due, He borrowed money from a fish to pay them (Matthew 17:27). “A certain scribe came and said to Him, Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go. And Jesus said to him, Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head” (Matthew 8:19-20 NKJV).

I’m not always happy about my circumstances – are you? Paul was incarcerated when he said, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice” (Philippians 4:4 NKJV)! We may not be happy about our circumstances, but in spite of what we may be going through God wants to fill us with “joy inexpressible and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:8 KJV). This is His will for you and me. Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10 NKJV).

There are some reading this who have been going through a time of sorrow, discouragement and despair. Life has a way of taking everything out of us – stealing any joy we might have. God wants to set you free today and fill you with joy as only He can. Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you” (John 16:20 and 22 KJV).

This is a prophetic word for many of you. You have been overwhelmed with sorrow and grief to the point of intense weeping and lamentation. God is about to turn your sorrow into joy. You are about to catch a glimpse of Jesus and your sorrow is going to be turned into joy – and nothing will be able to steal your joy from you.

“Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; the wealth on the seas will be brought to you, to you the riches of the nations will come” (Isaiah 60:5 NIV). Read also Nehemiah 8:10; 1 Peter 1:8; Romans 14:17; 15:13; Psalms 4:7; 16:11; 32:10-11; Isaiah 12:3; 35:10; 52:9; 60:5. Here are some sources of joy for you to draw from:

Righteousness. Paul said, “For the kingdom of God is …. righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost” (Romans 14:17 KJV). Righteousness always precedes joy. There is no joy without righteousness. Let me be clear, we have no righteousness of our own – “All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6 KJV). If we are going to experience joy it must be dependent upon His righteousness. When we trust Christ as our Savior, His righteousness is put to our account.

The source of our joy is His inputed righteousness. “He hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21 KJV). If we are depending on our own righteousness, we will never maintain any level of joy – we always fall short (Romans 3:10, 23). Read also Matthew 6:33; Psalms 32:10-11; Hebrews 1:9; Romans 12:9; Micah 6:8.

Answered prayer. “Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full” (John 16:23-24 KJV). How glorious and exciting to see our prayers answered. What a source of joy!

• When we come to God in prayer, we experience the joy of His presence. “In thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Psalms 16:11 KJV).
• We experience God’s glory when we pray. “By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:2 KJV). Moses experienced God’s glory to the extent he had to put a veil over his face.
• We also have the promise that God will meet our needs through prayer. “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16 KJV).

God’s Word. God’s Word is a glorious source of joy for the believer. “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts” (Jeremiah 15:16 KJV). If we are called by His name, His Word is a constant source of joy to us. It’s like getting a love letter from someone you have been longing to hear from. Read also Psalms 119:103 and Luke 10:38-42.

A view to the end product of your trial. “And not only so, but we glory (boast, rejoice, exalt) in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope” (Romans 5:3-4 KJV). Read also James 1:2-4. The key is “knowing.” If we are to stand up under trials and experience joy, we must have a vision toward the end product – hope. “Hope deferred makes the heart sick” (Proverbs 13:12a KJV).

Forward vision is essential. “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he” (Proverbs 29:18 KJV). Lack of hope and vision destroys us, but looking forward in faith to something better is life – “Desire fulfilled is a tree of life” (Proverbs 13:12b NASB). Read also Matthew 5:10-12; Hebrews 12:2; Romans 5:13; 8:18; 1 Corinthians 2:9-10.

Soul winning. Reaching souls for Christ should be one of our greatest sources of joy. “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy” (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 KJV). Imagine the Apostle Paul in heaven. A great multitude walks by and the Lord says, these are here because you cared, sacrificed and remained faithful to your call (Acts 20:24). What a joy!

Jesus told parables of a lost sheep, coin, and prodigal son (Luke 15). At the end of each He proclaimed there was rejoicing in heaven over one soul that comes to repentance. Soul winning is one of the greatest joys a believer will ever experience both now and in the life to come. Let’s reach the lost!

Leadership. “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you” (Hebrews 13:17 KJV). You can either bring joy to your pastors and leaders or grief. We can make their job enjoyable or an utterly miserable thing. I have seen and experienced both.

“That is unprofitable for you.” It is unprofitable for us to make their job hard, but profitable when we make their ministry joyful. They watch over your souls and will give an account to God. Let’s make what they do enjoyable. We will be the better for it. We can do so by getting behind them and being supportive. Jeremiah said, “I will fill the soul of the priests with abundance, And My people will be satisfied with My goodness,” declares the LORD” (Jeremiah 31:14 NASB). The more blessed our leaders are, the more blessed we will be.

God’s will. “That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God” (Romans 15:32 KJV). We are never filled with more joy than when we are in the center God’s will. I have experienced times when I was struggling over what to do in a situation and had no peace or joy whatsoever. Once I surrendered to the will of God joy flooded my heart.

While in Caesarea, Paul was prophesied over that if he went to Jerusalem he would be arrested and bound. Everyone immediately began trying to talk him out of going. He finally responded, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. And since he would not be persuaded, we fell silent, remarking, The will of the Lord be done” (Acts 21:13-14 NASB)! Paul knew that only in the will of God would he find fulfillment, even if it meant the worst of circumstances.

It’s amusing that when he couldn’t be persuaded, they finally surrendered to the will of God. Isn’t that the way we are? When God can’t be persuaded to do things our way or we can’t change our situation, we finally give ourselves over to the will of God. Let’s surrender to and commit ourselves to pursuing God’s will. In this alone is true joy. Study also John 13:13-17; Acts 20:24; James 1:22-25.

Victory in the battle. “Let God arise, Let His enemies be scattered; Let those also who hate Him flee before Him. As smoke is driven away, So drive them away; As wax melts before the fire, So let the wicked perish at the presence of God. But let the righteous be glad; Let them rejoice before God; Yes, let them rejoice exceedingly” (Psalm 68:1-3 NKJV). Victory over the enemy is one of the greatest joys we will ever experience. The righteous “Rejoice exceedingly” whenever God rises up and scatters our enemies from before us. Victory is on its way – with accompanying joy.

There are many of you who have been going through battle after battle with seemingly no victory. Discouragement has set in, and your joy has been stolen. Let me say prophetically, God is about to rise up on your behalf and bring unprecedented victory into your life and situation.

God’s prophetic word for you right now is, “The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly” (Romans 16:20 KJV). Claim it – your victory is eminent!

About Gary Linton

With over 35 years of church planting, teaching and ministry experience, Gary Linton's message to pastors, ministers and church leaders is never give up! If you have a question or problem you would like to discuss, send Pastor Linton a message here or follow Ministrymaker on Twitter.