1 John 1:1-4 – That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life— the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us— 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. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.
John goes right to the heart of the message and purpose of Jesus Christ in his opening remarks in his first epistle. He said that Jesus came to bring us into fellowship with God and fellowship with our brothers and sisters who believe in Him. The very center of this message and life is the love of God. God loved us through His Son and the outpouring of the Spirit. This love is entirely supernatural and lies at the heart of our Christian life. We have been brought into fellowship, communion with God by His love for us. This same love that entered us causes us to love Him. At the same time we are also brought into fellowship or communion with everyone else who have drunk from the cup of His love. This was the life of the early church and the life John was describing in his letter. Here is a quick quote from Augustine on this passage.
“This book is very sweet to every healthy Christian heart that savors the bread of God, and it should constantly be in the mind of God’s holy church. But I choose it more particularly because what it specially commends to us is love. The person who possesses the thing which he hears about in this epistle must rejoice when he hears it. His reading will be like oil to a flame.… For others, the epistle should be like flame set to firewood; if it was not already burning, the touch of the word may kindle it.”
When we taste the sweetness of His body, the bread, and His blood we are literally partaking of His love. This is the love that awakens us, keeps us, satisfies us, and brings us into the enjoyment of our beautiful fellowship that we have in the body of Christ. We have been brought into a supernatural union with the Lord and His people that will last into eternity, this is why our joy is full.
Love this!