a fellowship of joy

...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. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

1 John 1:3-4

John’s reasons for writing this encouraging little letter were wrapped in the wondrous expressions of fellowship and joy. The mutual fellowship of believers, in this case, as teacher with student, disciple maker and disciple, apostle to the church, and Christian to Christian was a source of great encouragement. And this fellowship came first from a relationship with Jesus. Fellowship with God and man gave the Apostle John great joy.

A second motivation for John flowed into this letter: it gave him joy to help others live in Jesus. It “completed” his joy. Of course some of this was part of his apostolic calling, but also I think John is expressing what many Christians can attest to: it is a lot of fun to follow Jesus together! When we get it right, it’s joyous! Nothing compares to a great relationship among believers as they follow Jesus.

I’m over three decades into ordained ministry, having build Christian gospel community in three different church locations over that time. I hope to never stop. I know relationship in Christ that extends from my childhood experiences. The fellowship is deep and wide now and inexpressibly joyful... even with some rough patches along the way! Walking with Jesus in Christian community is a SWEET kind of completing joy.