Day Twenty-Six

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. - 3 John 1:4

What gives you the greatest joy?  My husband and I are first time grandparents, and the joy of watching our grandson do anything new is beyond what we have ever known! Perhaps this joy is multiplied because we are also watching our son and his precious wife experience the joys of becoming parents for the first time.  While we celebrate all the moments in this little one’s development, our constant prayer is for him to know Jesus as his Lord and Savior.  We hope he will walk in that truth all his days.

John wrote this letter to Gauis, who was not his actual child by blood, but one he loved and invested in as a spiritual child. John had received word that Gauis was remaining faithful and walking out his faith in a particularly difficult time within his church.  Knowing that Gauis remained faithful brought incredible joy to John! He wanted to commend and encourage him to keep going, to keep walking in truth.

To "walk in truth" means to live a life consistently aligned with God's revealed Word. Walking in truth means reflecting integrity, love, and obedience to the teachings of Jesus in all actions, thoughts, and decisions.  Recognizing Jesus Christ as Lord of all determines the way we live.  Daily, we must make a choice to live according to God’s Word, no matter what we are facing.

Since the beginning, walking with God was His way for us. And like the first humans, we are prone to wander, to indulge, to follow our flesh and the world’s affections. We need God, His Spirit, His Word and one another to help us on the journey.  In his letter John sets an expectation of encouragement.  When we see a brother, sister or child walking in truth, it strengthens the entire body of Christ! We must help each other by cheering on those who persevere, sharing encouragement, and even giving warnings when necessary.  

Because there is no greater joy than to see our children walking in truth, we will commend, encourage, teach and warn, all of the “children” God brings into our lives. The entire body of Christ will be strengthened when we help each other “walk in truth.”

HIS LOVE for us and our love for one another keep us going until the finish!  

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