What gives you joy? 3 John

3 John 1:4
I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.

When we observe parents doting over their children we can observe a variety of reasons for their smiling pride.   Parents love it when their children do good.  It is largely do to the fact that those actions and/or behaviors make them look good.   What we get excited about in regard to our children says as much about us as it does them.   When we are excited that they score a goal, make a basket, hit the ball, or get a great grade on a paper, we show them what we value.   I don't know too many parents who get excited the way John does in the above verse.   John is writing to his brother, Gaius.   In this one chapter book of praise, John is going to make a big deal out of what John does in regard to his Christian walk.    If you think of John as a parent on the side lines or in the bleachers and Gaius actively involved in the Christian playing field, you have a good picture of the purpose of this book.   John is cheering for his children, Gaius being the main representative.   John is standing up and screaming praise because Gaius (and others he is walking with) is doing great things for God, according to the truth John has earlier presented ... especially that the children of God walk in love for one another, but a love based upon the truth.   Imagine your mother walking around with you all day and every time you do something good for others she breaks out in a cheer and starts waving a pom-pom. God is speaking through John and letting Gaius know that God values those who walk in the truth.   Remember what Christ said in the Upper Room:  I am the way, the truth and the light (John 14:6).   So, when John tells Gaius that he is in joy because he is walking in truth, what he is really saying is that he is celebrating and thanking God that Gaius, and those with him, are walking IN Christ.    John says he has no great joy than this witness he sees or has heard.   Imagine if our own children walked in truth ... in Christ.   What joy that would be.   When we fail, however, to walk in Christ, ourselves, we can't expect our children to do so.   When we fail to teach them truth, we can't expect them to do so.   When we fail to celebrate others walking in truth, we can't expect our children to do so.   We must celebrate people walking in truth and then we will be seen as valuing that aspect in the lives of others.   When we do that our children will catch what we value.   We need to make a big deal when we see those we love do something that is Biblical and according to Christ's Truth.   Others will see that we value that type of walk.  Then we can rejoice and be joyous knowing they, too, might do the same.   What do you get joyous about?  Is it when you see someone walk in truth?