I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.—3 John 1:4
"Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you? (Luke 6:46, ESV).
There is something that goes right to our heart and fills us with joy when someone treats our words with respect and obeys them from a pure heart of love. Conversely, there is sadness when someone professes to care about our words, but walk in a way that belies them. According to John MacArthur, the word “my” is emphatic in the original. The apostle’s heart had a deep affection for his spiritual children and delighted when they walked in truth....when their conduct was becoming of their position in Christ. Those who walk in the truth...in belief...have integrity; there is no contrast between professing and living. When our own children display their love through their obedience to us and to the truth of God, our own hearts fill with joy.
Ending with some exhortations from Paul’s epistles. He expressed similar sentiments and desires for his spiritual children.
14 I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children.
15 For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
16 I urge you, then, be imitators of me.—1 Corinthians 4:14-16, ESV
11 For you know how, like a father with his children,
12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.—1 Thessalonians 2:11-12, ESV
6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you-
7 for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith.
8 For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord.
9 For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God,
10 as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?—1 Thessalonians 3:6-10, ESV
