Greatest Joy of Children

SCRIPTURE: 3 John 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

OBSERVATION: I really understand and identify with this statement from John. There is a joy that comes from seeing those you love and those you have responsibility for or investment in really serving the Lord and living for Him. Because nothing is more important. if you were to fail in teaching a child a profession, or teaching manners, or teaching them in some sport -- none of those would be as bad or as damaging as failing to teach them to follow the Lord. If they get that, the other things will kind of take care of themselves.

• Physical children. John may have been speaking of his physical children. Even if he wasn't, everyone of us with physical children identify 100% with his words as they apply to our children. Nothing brings greater joy than having your children grow to make their own decisions and choose to serve the Lord and then, in turn, teach their children to do the same.
• Spiritual children. John very well may have been speaking of children in a spiritual sense -- meaning those he had led to the Lord, (Like Paul who called Timothy his 'true son in the faith'), or even those into whom he had some spiritual input as a pastor and as an elder mentor. When pastors see their 'children' acting contrary to how they re taught every week they are dumbfounded and discouraged. When they see the people in their church actually applying the lessons taught, there is nothing more affirming and gratifying.

Everyone wants their children, physical and spiritual, to succeed. There is no greater success than walking in truth and following the Lord.

APPLICATION: John the Elder had given his life to input spiritual truth into his 'children.'

• Rejoice when others walk in the truth. Notice it and affirm it, as John is doing here. These words must have been very encouraging to those he was writing.
• Model walking in the truth. How hypocritical to expect others to do it but not do it yourself. "You teach what you know but you reproduce who you are." Walk the talk. Be a model.
• Release 'children' to make their own decisions. This is the most difficult part, but necessary. How can you affirm others in their decisions and direction if they are not given room? This means they may stumble and fall, like a baby's first steps. Make it incremental steps.

PRAYER: Lord, today I pray for my children. I have no greater desire than to see my children following after You, for their benefit and Your honor. Amen.