No Greater Joy
3 John 1:3, 4 ESV For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
This is the heart of an Elder.
Thinking of their children walking in the truth brings them joy. His Children are those he led to Christ. The true treasures of heaven.
And notice, it's "no greater joy" - nothing else is better than knowing someone you led to Christ is still walking in the truth of Christ. Not just leading someone to the truth... but KNOWING that they are STILL IN the truth years later. That's the joy. Why? Because that is the sing the kingdom is moving forward and people are being changed in a world that seems desperate to cast off any hold of God.
John knew many anti-Christ's had come into the world and they were deceiving many. But to know someone was still walking in the truth brought him the highest joy because that means the Spirit is at work sealing them until the day of redemption. God is doing this. God is keeping and holding them fast. And it's a joy to behold.
I was told today of a young youth who sat under my preaching seemingly disengaged and uninterested every single time. Yet today sold out for Jesus he says those messages I preached deeply affected him in the faith.
Wow.
That is what gives me joy.
PRAYER:
Father, help me to share John's joy. Our World tries to sell us on so many less-important joys. Teach me to enjoy the true joy of leading and feeding others toward Christ!
This is the heart of an Elder.
Thinking of their children walking in the truth brings them joy. His Children are those he led to Christ. The true treasures of heaven.
And notice, it's "no greater joy" - nothing else is better than knowing someone you led to Christ is still walking in the truth of Christ. Not just leading someone to the truth... but KNOWING that they are STILL IN the truth years later. That's the joy. Why? Because that is the sing the kingdom is moving forward and people are being changed in a world that seems desperate to cast off any hold of God.
John knew many anti-Christ's had come into the world and they were deceiving many. But to know someone was still walking in the truth brought him the highest joy because that means the Spirit is at work sealing them until the day of redemption. God is doing this. God is keeping and holding them fast. And it's a joy to behold.
I was told today of a young youth who sat under my preaching seemingly disengaged and uninterested every single time. Yet today sold out for Jesus he says those messages I preached deeply affected him in the faith.
Wow.
That is what gives me joy.
PRAYER:
Father, help me to share John's joy. Our World tries to sell us on so many less-important joys. Teach me to enjoy the true joy of leading and feeding others toward Christ!
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