Complete joy is found in walking with God in his light not in the darkness that envelops us when we go on our way. That way is called sin. It seems fun. Actually, it often IS fun – for awhile. The problem is:

 

The train of sin takes us farther than we want to go and charges us more than we want to pay.

 

We can make our choices but we can’t always choose our consequences. Without God’s forgiveness we are left with repeated defeat, guilt, shame, misery, and despair – in fact, everything that destroys and steals the real joy we thought we were seeking! The author of 1 John 2 tells us there’s a solution: Jesus.

 

If you are caught committing a crime you will end up before a judge. You might get a lawyer who tries to get you out of it, but if you’re convicted the judge will pronounce a sentence of judgment on you. Deal done.

 

But with Jesus, it’s different. Jesus is the perfect advocate who never loses a case when it comes to those who really follow him and know him. Not just know about him but really know him…and to be known by him.

 

Do you know him?  If so, do what he said and did. Jesus loved his Father God and was fully satisfied with him than anything else. He did whatever his father told him. And his father told him to tell us, “Love one another.”

 

“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35

 

If we call ourselves Christian and hate each other and hold grudges or judge others, we better check what God’s Word actually says. We can’t judge others and love him. And we can’t be filled with the love of everything in the world and still fully love God.

 

If you know Jesus, the really good part is that he knows you! He sees you in your pain. He cares for you in your sorrow. He has not forgotten you and will never abandon you…

 

EVEN if it feels that way!

 

This isn’t a new teaching. We’ve always had this command to love God and love others. But what is “new” is that we now have the true light of God, Jesus, to guide us, teach us, empower us, make us victorious over life’s challenges, and bring us lasting joy. We’re not stuck in an endless cycle of turning to him, falling away from him, and going our own way before finally coming back to him. Finding complete joy is a matter of remaining in him.

 

“Remain in me as I remain in you.” – Jesus

 

“As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is what he promised us—eternal life.” (V 24-25)