I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in truth. – 3 John 1:4
In today’s verse, John the apostle speaks of his “spiritual children.” What greater joy does a parent have than to see their own children walk in the truth of the gospel? Parents are often so worried about their children’s success in their careers, relationships, health, and family that concerns about spiritual truths get overshadowed.
How a child functions in society is important and finding a career that suits their talents is a worthwhile pursuit. However, the building block of a successful Christian life is walking in the truth of the gospel. Knowing who you are in Christ – saved, forgiven, belonging to Him, and responsible to Him – are the basics of what every Christian parent should want for their children. If they are successful in the world but turn their back on the Savior, their success is in vain. Jesus said, “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36).
Pray for religious freedom to be restored and upheld in public institutions. Pray for a revival of spiritual truth, especially among children and young people. Ask the Lord to lead believers in communicating well with people of different beliefs and philosophies. Pray for government officials to make wise decisions concerning the freedoms of speech and religion.
Today’s Verse: 3 John 1:4
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Deuteronomy 6:4-15
4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
10 “And when the Lord your God brings you into the land that he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give you—with great and good cities that you did not build, 11 and houses full of all good things that you did not fill, and cisterns that you did not dig, and vineyards and olive trees that you did not plant—and when you eat and are full, 12 then take care lest you forget the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 13 It is the Lord your God you shall fear. Him you shall serve and by his name you shall swear. 14 You shall not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who are around you— 15 for the Lord your God in your midst is a jealous God—lest the anger of the Lord your God be kindled against you, and he destroy you from off the face of the earth.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
