John 15:11

This verse contains the last particular in this part of the Chapter, wherein (by way of conclusion) Christ points out his scope in all this doctrine, (which also holds true of the whole Word of God as it is spoken to beleevers, Joh. 20.31. with 1 Pet. 1.8) For whereas by these many and pressing exhortations, they might readily be discouraged, and mistake him; Therefore he declareth that his aime in all this was to have his joy abiding in them, in a full and constant manner, and that therefore he had pressed communion with himselfe, and fruitfulnesse flowing there from, as the way to attain and entertain such a mercy. And so it is a new argument to fruitfulnesse, that so they may promove and secure their own true joy. Whence learn, 1. Christs dealing and speaking to his people, may seem, oft-times, so contrary and crosse to his great scope, as they will readily mistake him, unlesse himselfe expound what he aims at; Therefore must he declare for what end he hath said this, These things have I spoken to you, that my joy may remain, &c. as being a thing they could not well discern of themselves. 2. Christ doth allow on his people joy and rejoycing, on his own tearmes, and in his order; for, this is his scope here, that my joy might remain in you. 3. Beleevers, in laying hold on their priviledge of rejoycing, ought not to look on their worth of deserving, but on his allowance, and what he hath purchased, and will conferre upon them; for, so much doth he intimate (as a part of the meaning) when he calls it, my joy, by way of purchase, allowance, and gift, and therefore your joy, by right. 4. Whatever beleevers may apprehend in Christs sharp dealing and doctrine, or whatever be Christs nearest end in it; Yet ultimately it tends to testifie his care of their welfare, and to further and advance their true joy; for, These things (even pressing exhortations to difficult duties, and sharp threatnings, which could not but humble and exercise sensible souls; Even, these things) have I spoken unto you, that my joy may remain in you. See Chap. 14. 28. 5. Albeit the joy of beleevers be Christs purchase and free gift; yet it is allowed upon none, but these who walk in the wayes of fruitfulnesse and obedience, as an evidence of their good estate and interest in him; for, These things, concerning fruitfulnesse, tend to their joy; So that the joy of wilfully fruitlesse souls is but delusion, (albeit they who are humbled in the sense of unfruitfulnesse, may rejoyce in free grace offered in the Covenant, 2 Sam. 23.5.) and our lazinesse is a great obstructer of our joy. 6. As beleevers will disdain to rejoyce in any thing beneath Christ; So, albeit they do evidence their interest in joy by fruitfulness; Yet they will be far from rejoycing therein; Only it leads them up to rejoyce in him, who is the author of all, and with whom they are assured they hold communion, by their fruitfulness; Therefore also unto fruitful disciples, it is called my joy, namely, a joy in him, and not in their own fruitfulness, far lesse in other carnal things. 7. Christ doth allow unto beleevers not only flashes and fits of joy, but a constant solide uninterrupted joy; for, his will is, that my joy remain in you, whereas the wickeds will wither. See Phil. 4.4. 1 Thes. 5.16. 8. If beleevers would make more conscience of tender walking, and of constancy in fruitfulness, their joy would be more constant and less interrupted: for, fruitfulness, which he hath been pressing, is the mean to attain this end, that my joy remain in you, whereas by barrenness they over-cloud their own good condition. 6. The joy of beleevers in Christ, is in it self a full joy, needing no other carnal joy to be added with it, to fill the heart: being a joy that will bear out under all discouragements; and, a joy far different from the worldlings joy, which is full of heaviness. Prov. 14.13. for, so it is here called, a full joy. 10. Beleevers, within time, do never tast so much of spiritual joy, but more is allowed, and more is to be expected in the way of tender and fruitful walking; for, his scope in exhorting to fruitfulness, is, That your joy might be full, yet fuller, not in regard of the object, but in their sensible enjoyment thereof. 11. Whatever be the small measure of joy beleevers do enjoy, by reason of their fruitlesness, diffidence, discouragement, and straitning in their own bowels, and how oft so ever that they have be interrupted; Yet it is Christs purpose and aime to have their joy constant and full, and he will not give over till it be so; for, his ultimate scope, in his dealing with them, and his doctrine to them, is, that your joy might be full, as it will be at last, Psal. 16.11. Matth. 25.23. And herein it differs from the joy of the wicked, which ends in heavinesse, Prov. 14.13.