That Your Joy May Be Full

These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
—John 15:11


In John 15, Jesus spoke to the disciples about abiding in Him. Here in John 15:11, He gave them the reason. If His joy remains within them, their joy will be full.

Our flesh fights abiding in Jesus. It considers abiding in Him as something that takes away our joy. Yet Jesus said that abiding in Him would cause us to have fullness of joy. There is an unparalleled depth of joy and satisfaction found in abiding in Jesus. It is a joy that nothing in this world can offer.

The reason some Christians don’t have this joy is because they aren’t abiding in Him. Abiding in Jesus is being in the presence of the Lord. And in the presence of the Lord, there is fullness of joy.

“You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalms 16:11). 

Joy is one of the most powerful weapons we have against hopelessness and discouragement. Joyful praise is a powerful weapon against the devil because He hates worship of the Lord (Matthew 4:9). In challenging situations that test our faith, praising the Lord redirects our focus away from our problems, centers it on Jesus, and unleashes the joy that comes from faith. 

“That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. These things we write to you that your joy may be full” (1 John 1:3-4).

John’s intention in writing his letter was to invite others to share in the same fellowship with the Father and Son that he enjoyed. This fellowship is the source of all joy. True joy is not derived from material possessions or the absence of problems; it lies in the presence of fellowship with the Father and Son. Moreover, if we experience the joy that this fellowship brings, it will endure even when things don’t happen as we desire.

“You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your presence” (Acts 2:8).

The Lord wants us to know fullness of joy. It is a joy that leaves no room for doubt in the faithfulness of God. It is a joy that trusts in His ways and believes without seeing.

Peter declares in 1 Peter 1:8: “Whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.”

Your joy is not derived from what you experience in this world, but rather from your belief in Jesus. You may not have seen Jesus, yet believing, you have intimacy and fellowship with Him. When you desire to know Him as He knows you, fellowship with Him supersedes all else. You live in Him as He lives in you. It is in our hearts agreeing with Him that the spiritual realm overcomes our experience. If we truly believe in Him, His experience will become ours. We will rejoice with a joy that is unspeakable and filled with glory.

Jesus is abiding in you, never withdrawing, leaving, or forsaking you. But, if you don't believe this, you won’t desire abiding in Him, and you will forfeit the power of the Word and the joy of His presence. 

But Jesus came that your joy may in full. How much do you desire to know the abiding Presence of the One who gave you life?