John 15:11

Loving obedience is the cause of the disciple’s fruitfulness, but joy is its result. The fullness of believers’ joy was John’s purpose for writing his first epistle, as it was Jesus’ purpose in giving this discourse (1 John 1:4). Specifically Jesus had told His disciples that joy would follow their obedience to His teachings (John 15:10). He intended His teachings to produce freedom and joy, not bondage and grief (cf. John 10:10; Matthew 11:30).

"How can we tell when we are ’abiding in Christ’? Is there a special feeling? No, but there are special evidences that appear and they are unmistakably clear. For one thing, when you are abiding in Christ, you produce fruit (John 15:2). . . . Also, you experience the Father’s ’pruning’ so that you will bear more fruit (John 15:2). The believer who is abiding in Christ has his prayers answered (John 15:7) and experiences a deepening love for Christ and for other believers (John 15:9; John 15:12-13). He also experiences joy (John 15:11)." [Note: Wiersbe, 1:355.]