“I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”
I came across this in 3 John this morning. It stopped me because I realized just how true it is. It is something I cannot take for granted. It is humbling and awesome.
To hear that my children are walking in the truth is an affirmation that prayers have been answered. First, they know the truth. More than an intellectual understanding, they have a personal relationship with the LORD. As much as I love them, I rejoice they know the love of the Jesus. Second, all my flaws, all my errors, all my stubborn pride have not been a distraction or a stumbling block for them — or, at least, not a determinative stumbling block.
It also raises for me the awareness of how difficult is the walk. The challenges I face, they face. The world in which they live discourages their walking in the truth. They face the temptation to buy into the empty promises of security in wealth, in fitting in, and self-fulfillment. Putting their trust in God — loving God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength; and loving their neighbor as themselves — has given them a peace that I admire.
They are not perfect. They have flaws and errors, too. They have episodes of pride. Yet, with the confidence of those who are forgiven and are made righteous by the blood of Jesus shed for them, they know joy. Their joy in Jesus Christ is my great joy.
When my father joined the church as a boy he received a Bible from one of the saints (who sacrificed in those days of the Great Depression to buy Bibles for each confirmation class, even if it numbered into the thirties). The inscription inside includes the verse above. That made a profound impression on my father, and he used that Bible all of his life (toward the end it was held together with duct tape). A powerful verse! Thanks, Bob, and welcome back to blogging. I’ve missed you!