Joh 15:11 | KingComments | STEP | If the words of this chapter are read in a lawful way, there will only be sadness and we may even become depressed. If bearing fruit is understood as an achievement to be made, we feel how much we fall short. This leads us to the sighing of wanting, but not being able, as we see with the man described in Romans 7 ( ). When we understand the words of Christ as He meant them, we realize that they are expressly meant to give us His joy and make our joy full. The joy He has is the motive for us to walk as disciples in a life of fruitfulness. Bearing fruit is for the Father , but the joy of the Lord Jesus will be our part. This is one of the glorious things He means when He speaks to Peter about having part with Him ( ). Having part with Him here is “My joy”, just as the Lord also spoke about the having part in “My peace” ( ) and “My love” ( ) and as He will speak about “My glory” ( ). He wants us to have part in His joy and that this joy will become complete ( ), i.e. come to adulthood. His joy is to be in the things of the Father. We are invited to grow toward that, that we too have nothing more than that. The joy of Him is to be in us. The perfect joy is when our joy merges with His joy.

‏ John 15:11

Joy

If the words of this chapter are read in a lawful way, there will only be sadness and we may even become depressed. If bearing fruit is understood as an achievement to be made, we feel how much we fall short. This leads us to the sighing of wanting, but not being able, as we see with the man described in Romans 7 (Rom 7:15-19).

When we understand the words of Christ as He meant them, we realize that they are expressly meant to give us His joy and make our joy full. The joy He has is the motive for us to walk as disciples in a life of fruitfulness. Bearing fruit is for the Father, but the joy of the Lord Jesus will be our part.

This is one of the glorious things He means when He speaks to Peter about having part with Him (Jn 13:8). Having part with Him here is “My joy”, just as the Lord also spoke about the having part in “My peace” (Jn 14:27) and “My love” (Jn 15:9) and as He will speak about “My glory” (Jn 17:24). He wants us to have part in His joy and that this joy will become complete (1Jn 1:4), i.e. come to adulthood. His joy is to be in the things of the Father. We are invited to grow toward that, that we too have nothing more than that. The joy of Him is to be in us. The perfect joy is when our joy merges with His joy.