"Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is how you are walking in truth. I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my children are walking in the truth." 3rd John 1:2-4

As a mother of four grown children with families of their own, I can wholly agree there is no greater joy in my life than to hear my children are walking in the truth of God’s Word. There is no greater achievement in life than to know your loved ones know the truth of God’s Word and they are eternally secure, and we will never be separated again. What is broken down here will be perfected in heaven, and all families and relationships will be totally restored in the perfection of God’s Presence, and we shall be like Him in every way! When all is said and done that is all that matters to me. I do not live for this present life, even though I am extremely blessed by my Father’s love now. But I know then we shall know Him fully, as we are fully known according to 1 Corinthians 13:12.

Let’s look at the introduction of the 2nd letter of John 1-4:

The elder to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not only I, but also all who know the truth, for the sake of the truth which abides in us, and will be with us forever. Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

What a beautiful greeting! Look at some of the wording, "Whom I love in truth." What does it mean to love in truth? Are we loving each other in truth as they were? Do we love one another enough to hold each other accountable to the Word of God?
"Those who know the truth." Does that include us? What is truth? God’s Word, His statutes and laws are truth.
"For the sake of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever." What are we willing to do in our lives for the sake of the truth? Does His truth abide in our hearts and thoughts more than anyone else’s truth? One thing I do know for sure is that it will be with us forever. The Bible makes that truth clear over and over. Jesus and the Father represent truth and love. You cannot have one without the other.

In today’s world, and much of the church, we are doing what is right in our own eyes. Everyone has their own truth. How ridiculous! And how is that working for us?? There is only one God. He is the way, the truth and the life. (John 14:6) There is no greater history book than the Bible. Read it and learn from the history of mankind, and in it you will also find the future of mankind.

Everyone must choose what to believe. God created us with free will. A Christian has to live by faith, and so does an atheist or humanist. It only stands to reason God has to be greater than ourselves, or He wouldn’t be God. Just observing the order of creation proves to me there is Someone much bigger than ourselves.

We were warned how lies and deception would increase along with unrestrained evil in the last days. Proverbs 14:34 and Psalm 33:12 reads:

"Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people."
"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people who He has chosen for His own inheritance."

This is true for any nation. History continues to repeat itself. When we obey God and His laws we flourish as families, and therefore our nation does. When the people forget the one true God and His ways the families crumble and so goes the nation. God ordained the family and it is what makes up our society. It is not prosperity. It becomes a byproduct of strong families. As many of us know prosperity with a destroyed family is not success for anyone.

2 John 1:4-6 states:
"I was very glad to find some of your children walking in truth, just as we have received commandment to do from the Father. Now I ask you, lady, not as though I were writing to you a new commandment, but the one which we have had from the beginning, that we love one another. And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it."

We have defined for us what it means to walk in truth and love by John. We must know the truth before we can walk in it. We must read and meditate on the Word of God continuously, not just daily or weekly. Our minds must be renewed moment by moment for His Word to abide in us. Yes, it is a radical endeavor, but so was His expression of love for us when He so freely died on a cross for each of us. When we have His laws in our hearts we will not sin against Him. His Word alone has the power to transform us into His likeness.

Love is exemplified through sacrifice. No one has ever sacrificed more than our Heavenly Father, and His Son. We must sacrifice our will for His will. In losing our lives for His sake, we will gain our lives.

When we know these truths, truly, there is no greater joy than to know our children who we love greater than anyone else are ordering their lives by the Word of God as John stressed. When we get our priorities right in our lives as parents may we experience one of the greatest joys in life: to know our children are walking in truth and love with God, their Creator.

They must first be shown the way by our example before them day in and day out. Nothing you will ever impart in their lives is more important now, or will affect their future more, but most importantly, their eternity. Parents please prayerfully evaluate the standards and priorities you are living out before your children. It has always been and always will be our God given right and responsibility.
In His love.

Teresa Roberts

Masterpiece Fitness

www.masterpiecefitness.com

276-237-6680

Below are my greatest treasures on earth, oldest to youngest, my daughter’s family, and my three sons. I am greatly comforted by the knowledge we will spend eternity together . I might add not because we are a flawless family, far from it! But it is because we look to the cross and our flawless Savior, Jesus Christ, and you can too!