It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 1:3-4 NIV
If you have been looking for an applause to your faithfulness, the apostle John just gave it to you – it brings joy to other believers. If you have logged time in the church, then you are familiar with someone who was very active in church life, who eventually slipped away. Perhaps is was a major crisis that started the breach or a lot of little unfulfilled expectations that opened the door. Either way, the result was a turning away from the convictions they had once professed as their own.
As you begin this week, receive the blessing of faithful walking. It is not flashy, nor is it easy. It’s the determination to integrate Jesus life into all spheres of your own life. The word “walk” in greek is “peripatounta”. This is a compound word meaning to completely circle around and to walk. Figuratively, this means engaging in all areas that you are walking around in your life.
May God’s truth be your benchmark for the standard of your conduct with others. It is a very high bar to reach, but doable through God’s help. That conduct is boiled down into one easy rule – express love to others (all in your sphere of walking) showing that they are more important than the way that you are thinking about yourself. They don’t have to be acting in a way that deserves your love. It is a choice and a mindset to treat them with kindness.
Be blessed this week with faithful walking in the truth of God’s power to love through you. May God bring to remembrance your own words of commitment to Him. May you have the strength to do what is right even when no one is applauding although Jesus is always watching. May you receive joy in the testimony of others faithful endurance. May your pace be in rhythm to hear God’s voice to bring you encouragement.
Blessings on ya, Love y’all