How to Have Fullness of Joy - Nathan Rages

1John 1:4 These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete. 

One motivation for John writing his epistle was to increase believers' joy level.  Thus, his letter contains the secrets for experiencing fullness of joy.  In the course of the letter, John addresses various things that can *destroy* our joy (false conversion, false doctrine, practicing known sin, being loveless toward others, etc.) but the largest driver of consistent joy is found in the previous verse: "indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ".  Christian joy cannot be based on the ups and downs of daily happenings but on the foundation of God Himself, fellowshipping with the One who cannot change.  

Many similar Bible verses describe believers experiencing fullness or completeness of joy:

Ps 16:11 11 You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. 

John 3:29 29 “He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made full. 

John 15:11 11 “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. 

John 16:24 24 “Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full. 

John 17:13 13 “But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves. 

Rom 15:13 13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

2John 1:12 12 Though I have many things to write to you, I do not want to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, so that your joy may be made full. 

1Pet 1:8 8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 

These Scriptures make clear that God desires for Christians to have joy, not just in small fleeting amounts, but to be *filled* with joy as a normal, expected part of Christian experience.