NO GREATER JOY!

The apostle John expressed his shepherd’s heart in a simple sentence found in his third epistle. To a dear friend named Gaius, John wrote, “ I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (verse 4). To walk in the truth simply means to live consistent with the truth you have received. "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called" (Ephesians 4:1). Christian parents can readily identify with John’s sentiments. Every pastor who serves in a local church hopes to realize the very same joy. But why should John’s joy be tied to the obedience of another brother in Christ? I believe it's because John rejoiced to see God glorified in the lives of His redeemed people. When a Christian leads a holy life in humble submission to the truth, God’s might transforming power is revealed. Just as the heavens above declare the glory of God (Psalm 19:1), the glory of God is seen on earth when a child of God walks in newness of life. He or she becomes a “living epistle” (2 Cor. 3:2). A living epistle is an open book that the unconverted read. This book communicates a message of hope which magnifies God’s saving grace to a spiritually dark world held captive by Satan. It declares that the Lord who brought forth a beautiful creation out of nothing, is the one who alone can bring beauty out of the ashes of shattered lives. Thus, we find Peter admonishing the true pilgrims of this world to live a ‘noble life’ among the pagans (the lost) so that they may observe our good works and one day be counted among those who glorify God (1 Peter 2:12). Brethren, the eyes of many without Christ are on us. I pray that we bring joy to one another and to the Lord by following the example of Gaius, “walking in the truth” .

To God be the glory!

Pastor Tom