I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. (3John.1.4 NIV)
Every father and mother rejoices when a newborn baby is received into the house. However, as this child grows up, the joy of their parents may either increase or decrease.
This is not true for biological parents only. The same is true when we come into the church of Christ. I mean if it grieved God that the very people He created had become rebellious, how then can't it grieve our pastors and teachers if we don't heed their instructions?
Prov.15.20 A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother.
When a child is wise, it is the joy of the parents to have them as their child. The definition of a wise child here is not the performance in class. What does scripture say?
A wise son heeds his father's instruction, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke. (Proverbs.13.1).
The wisdom of a person is measured by obedience not class performance. That child might not be that good at school, but if they are obedient, then they are wise. Better an obedient child who is not good at school than a rebellious child who performs well at school.
As for the elder in our theme scripture, the prosperity, the expansion, and every other things about his children whom he had labored to teach gave him no greater joy. The cause of his greatest joy was that they were walking in the truth.
See how much Paul was grieved with the Galatians when they forgot his lessons.
Gal.4.19-20 My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you! (NIV)
Everytime you, as a child walks contrary to the parents instructions, great grief dawns on the parents. Rebellion of children has caused some parents to disown their children or to give them up for torture.
As a child, remember that your obedience to the parents is their joy. Obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. [Eph.6.1NLT]
Hallelujah!
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