Description
What do you make of what the Apostle John says, in 3 John 1:4? Can this be a source of joy?
3 John 1:4
I have no greate… (visit YouTube for more)
Transcript
The Apostle John has such a pastor’s heart, doesn’t he? Let’s listen to, think on, and meditate on what he says in 3 John chapter 1 verse 4. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
Now this to me sounds like something that a pastor would say, but also that a parent might say. If we look at our children, if we look at what is happening in their lives, what, for us as Christian parents, is the most important thing? If the child has a good marriage or a good job or happy children, those all seem like good things to us. But if you strip all of those away, what is the one thing you would want your child to have?
Now many of us I know would say, "I just want my child to be happy." But is it not more important to know that your child is walking in the truth? That regardless of the circumstances that the child finds themselves in, that they remain faithful to the one who’s been faithful to them.
Walking in the truth – what joy that brings to us as parents. Oh, they’ve had a messy divorce. Oh, they’re not happy in their job. But at least they are still following their Saviour, Jesus Christ.
What a joy that is for a parent or a pastor. To see that as we’ve led our children or our congregation, they are continuing in that even when they are not in our presence.
I thank you, God, for parents and pastors who do lead children and congregations well, so that we, as those children, we, as those members of the congregation, know the right way to go and continue in it, facing you, our Lord. Amen.
