Scripture:
Vs 1 The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.
Vs 3 For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth.
Vs 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
Vs 8 … that we may be fellow workers for the truth.
Vs 12 … you know that our testimony is true.
Observation:
John is writing an encouraging letter to his friend.
John lets him know how joyful he is that he maintains his faith in Jesus.
Truth is the recurring theme from beginning to end of this letter …
He “loves in truth”.
He “walks in truth”.
He “works for truth”.
He “testifies in truth”.
Application:
“No greater joy …”
If I could apply anything wouldn’t it be something that gives me “no greater joy”?!
What is it that gives John “no greater joy”? … It’s that his child in the faith is “walking in the truth”.
So often I hear from parents, “I just want my kids to happy”.
I’ve even heard my own mother say that … “I just want you kids to be happy”.
I don’t think there’s anything inherently wrong with that.
Of course a good parent wants their kid to be happy.
Given that blessed is a synonym for happy, even God wants us to be happy.
But God wants us to be ultimately and eternally “happy”.
Or as Jesus and His apostles say, “full of joy” … and “complete joy”!
Ultimate and Eternal and Complete and Full JOY does not happen outside of TRUTH!
What do want I most? What is my “greatest joy”?
Is it my kids “happiness” or “walking in truth”?
It’s easy to idolize “pursuit of happiness”. It’s even a constitutional right!
But I have to remember what makes me .. or my kids … happy today may be quite different next month.
Only TRUTH is eternal … and brings “no greater joy”!
I must love it.
I must walk in it.
I must testify it.
And it’s the only thing ultimately worth “working for”!
Prayer:
Thanks you God for Your Truth
Give me a hunger for it
Help me Spirit to testify to it and work for it
Help me guide my children in it
May it give me no greater joy
In Jesus name
Amen