DAD'S RAMBLINGS – REJOICING AND SORROW
"I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father." (II John 4)
It seems that in John's travels, he met some believers who were related to the "elect lady" to whom this letter is addressed, either as children by natural birth, or spiritual children who were taught by this person.
One of the great joys of my life is to see my children serving the Lord in love and in truth. I also rejoice when I see people that I have ministered to continuing in their faith, or when I see children of my friends are following Jesus.
But the word "some" brings sorrow. Could it be that some of her children had wandered away from the faith? There is sorrow when I see children who have been raised in the truth of the Gospel turn their backs on it and walk away. What a tragedy.
It is not that we love those who stray any less. In fact, the sorrow we feel is a result of the love that we have for them. Our heart's cry is that they would return to Jesus and follow Him.
As an older parent, I can now understand the grief and concern that my own parents must have had when they saw me at times drifting away from serving the Lord. But I also now understand the joy they must have had when they saw me earnestly serving Jesus.
So, let us rejoice when we see children of the next generation serving God, and let us pray for those who have wandered from God.
Love, Dad
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