Complete Joy

John 15:11 NIV - I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. Keep Reading...

Real joy does not have its source in human character. It comes from God. What is more exciting - God wants to fill us with his joy. We don't have to coerce him to give us joy. He is most willing to pour it into us until we are full.

So what is the means that God uses to fill us with his joy? First, he fills us with a knowledge that we are loved by him. We then decide to receive and live out of this love. Look at the preceding verses (John 15:9-10). Obedience to God actually opens the pathway of joy. When we obey God, we stay in his love. If we stay in his love, our joy begins to bubble up. 

So if our obedience kick starts the joy of the Lord in our lives, what command are we specifically called to obey? Just after speaking of the gift of his joy, Jesus says, "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." (John 15:12)

Loving other people actually activates the joy of the Lord. Joy comes to those who give selflessly in relationship with others. We need to do our part in loving others, and God will do his part of pouring in joy.