Are you captivated by Jesus Christ?

Imagine mentioning the beauty of Christ to a non-believer when you are in the throws of jubilation. Would they later ponder what caused you to say something like that to them? What about everyone else within earshot?

As a bride of the King, and member of His Kingdom, others should hear of how much you love him... Do you live in such a way that others ask you why He is greater than another beloved?

Let us look at what John the Beloved says in his first letter starting in verse 4 and working backward.

And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. — 1 John 1:4

Some ancient translations record "so that your joy may be complete," but regardless of whose joy it is, there is a joy to be found in what he is writing about.

Certainly, there is joy in hearing the gospel! But is there not also joy in telling the good news and having it be received? Surely there is!

So what things is he writing about?

that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. — 1 John 1:3

He is writing about the things they saw and heard with their own eyes. Why does it matter that we should know about these events? So that we may have fellowship with them and fellowship with God the Father and Jesus Christ his Son.

Does the Gospel have the same effect on you? Do you realize that through it, we have fellowship with the Creator and His Son?

Think about these things^[1]. Dwell on them daily. Meditate on them during the mundane hours of the day^[2].

Does the knowledge and revelation of Jesus Christ as the Messiah resonate with you? Is it in your bones?

Does knowing Him give you joy in the darkest of nights? When you are in the darkness, look to Jesus as the light.^[3]

Q: John, what have you seen and heard?

the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— 1 John 1:2

Q: What are you talking about, John? What life did you see? Why do you testify to it, and how can you proclaim it as eternal life?

We know the life he is talking about. It is the life of Jesus Christ, but John talks about the life in two different ways.

First, we see the life of Jesus Christ, who is the personified Word of God. They saw Him and walked with Him. The disciples testify to His life on Earth. However, this is not all they proclaim.

The eternal life that is found only in Christ^[4] was manifested so they may see it when Jesus Christ was raised from the dead.

Do you believe in what they proclaim? Does it still give you joy that in Christ you have eternal life? Do you think about life on Earth in your resurrected body? Do you think about the coming time when complete peace will be found on Earth?

Lastly, look at 1 John 1:1.

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 1 John 1:1

While you may not have touched Him with your hands, you have heard about Him, and while you may not have seen Him with your eyes, you have seen Him in the way that He works in your life. He has been since the beginning and is the Word of God in the flesh^[5].

You are blessed because you believe that in Jesus Christ, there is the redemption of sin and eternal life for all those who believe in Him^[6].

We should not forget the knowledge and revelation we have received about the glory of the Lord.

When we have these moments of revelation, we, as believers, must share them with those who lack revelation. We must! It is our mandate to expose the glory of the Lord to the unbelieving world^[7].

Does your joy of knowing Him affect how you relate to others? It should. You should be light to the darkness and salt to that which is dead^[8].

Consider the days of your jubilation and nights of reverie again. Remember those first days when you danced in the joy of the Lord because he saved you. Let these memories draw you into His presence.

I ask you again.

We should all pray for more revelation of the beauty of the Lord^[9].

References

[1]: Philippians 4:8-9
[2]: Psalm 145:5
[3]: John 1:5-10
[4]: John 14:6
[5]: John 1:14
[6]: John 3;16-18
[7]: Matthew 28:19-20
[8]: Matthew 5:13-16
[9]: Psalm 27:4