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

Joy is not automatic, nor does it depend upon circumstances. Rather, this is a supernatural joy that is completely independent of life’s circumstances, just like God’s love for us is independent of our earning His love.

Cults and abusers twist this teaching to absurd lengths, by manipulating emotions and making requests that are harmful to the individual. “If you love me, then you will do …” all sorts of evil, damaging things. This turns love into an emotional club to enforce behavior or compliance. Cults do that by keeping their members always needing more, like a child desperate for a father’s love will do anything to get attention or find even a small shred of love.

God’s love is not like that, it is not a reward, or a carrot on the end of a stick that keeps a mule going forward. To be sure, there will be times when we trust in God’s love over against the difficulties and hardships and sufferings of life. His love will never compel us to go against His revealed Word as we have it in Scripture. No prophecy or teaching can be legitimately given which contradicts the clear teaching of the Bible. This is why we so emphasize that every Christian must abide in the Word of God on a regular basis.

Jesus makes it clear that His goal for us is not our misery, but joy. He will similarly state again before leaving the Upper Room, “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Joy and peace (along with hope) are “resources” we need as believers. But the greatest resource we need is love (see 1 Cor 13:13).

This is the abundant Christian life that Jesus spoke of earlier, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). Cult leaders destroy, Jesus gives life, and life abundantly to the full. Such a life includes joy that is rooted in the awareness of and ever-increasing appreciation for His love.

There was coming a time, in less than 24 hours, when the disciples would not be feeling very joyful at all. In fact, all their emotions would soon be swallowed up in the pitch-tar blackness of grief. Did these words sustain them during the dark three days of Jesus’ death, and somehow keep them from the fate of Judas who felt he had lost all? We do know that these words sustained them after Christ rose and ascended into heaven. And these words should encourage us in whatever circumstance of life we find ourselves .

Lord, thank You for Your love and joy, as You sustain me in my difficult times.