First John 1:1-4: Happiness or Joy?

Our second week of daily devotions in the Book of First John center on the Apostle’s Prologue to his letter. You’re going to need your Bible and I’ve provided the Study Notes on this website that you can either bookmark, or print. Be sure to scroll down to the notes outlining and commenting on the PROLOGUE.

I hope this helps those of you who are committed to journaling this year.

1 John PROLOGUE Day 1: Happiness or Joy?

Our study this week is all about the “joy” of fellowship. The Apostle John introduces his letter of First John by announcing his subject, purpose, and intended result. Read his prologue in 1 John 1:1-4 three times slowly, pausing after each reading to ask God’s Spirit to teach you about true joy this week.

On Sunday I taught our people this basic outline of the prologue:

• Subject: John is declaring the truth about eternal Life from the perspective of an eyewitness to the Incarnation of that Life—Jesus Christ (1-3a).
• Purpose: John wants his readers to experience the fellowship (sharing of eternal life)  the apostles themselves shared with the Father, the Son, and one another (3b).
• Result: After reading these things that the apostle writes, there will be a full experience of the joy of fellowship (4).

As you read through these first four verses of 1 John again following the outline above, reflect on the difference between joy and happiness.

When I think of the difference between joy and happiness I usually contrast an inner and outer reality. When things are good on the outside, in the circumstances of life, I find it easy to be “happy”. But even during the happiness that comes from “good times” I carry a nagging awareness that this cannot last. When things are right on the inside, in my friendship with Christ, I discover a deep and abiding joy.

Would you agree with this contrast? To finish your time in the word today, construct a table contrasting the two categories below. Think about it for a minute, and then write down the first thoughts that come to your mind. How do you think this contrast will help you in the week to come?