I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. (3 John 1:4 KJV)
In the scriptures, the children were figurative. For me, it is both figurative – and extremely literal. It is joyous to me that my children and their spouses are actively involved in their churches serving our Lord. My sorrow is that the next generation is not yet complete in that respect.
It also applies to those whose lives have intersected with ours. They are our brothers and sisters in Christ, as He told us:
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. (John 3:5-7 KJV)
Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. (1 Peter 1:23 KJV)
All that exists, including mankind, was created by God. The beauty that surrounds us in nature is but a slight hint of the glory of His home. That beauty is open to us as His children, and He is ready to bring us close:
But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 19:14 KJV)
But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. (Mark 10:14 KJV)
But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. (Luke 18:16 KJV)
As His children, we must grow. In Matthew 5 He lays out for us the growth pattern of children in Christ:
And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:1-16 KJV)
John Winthrop wrote of a ‘city set on an hill’ – but I’m speaking of a city filled with children who look to us as examples. We may hold a child’s faith in our hands, but we most assuredly hold our own. Do we have the faith of a child? Do any others see our good works and glorify our Father?
The alternative is also contained in the above scripture: “thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”
As for me, as those in my house, we will serve the Lord. It is so much better than the alternative!!
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