Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

 

Walking in the Truth: Passing Faith to Spiritual Children 

Bible Reading: : 3 John 1-12

Key verse:  

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” – 3 John 4

DEVOTION

In this letter by John to Gaius, the word “truth” is mentioned 5 times. And John was especially joyful to see that all of his children were walking in the truth (vs. 4). 
Indeed, it is a joy for every parent to see their children successful. For John, it was to see his children walking in the truth and this should be the same for us. The word for truth in Greek is ἀληθείᾳ (“alethia”). In ancient Greek, the same word is used for “reality”. For GenX, it’s like saying: “this is for real” or “it’s legit!” So, the truth is not just a fact but it is real. It is not an illusion. 
Do you have the truth and when you walk in your life, is it real to you? Do you believe that Jesus Christ died and resurrected for you and is now in your heart? Do you really have this reality in you? It says in John 4:24 - we must worship in spirit and in truth (reality). In Proverbs 23:23 it says to “buy truth”. When we buy something, a price has to be paid. A price has to be paid to purchase this valuable asset. I would have to say that many have paid a significant price - even their life to have this truth.
We also have two people mentioned in this book: Diotrephes and Demetrius. Diotrephes always wanted to be first and was not hospitable: he did not welcome John. Demetrius on the other hand was well spoken of - even confirmed by the truth. Which one do we want to be? 

PRAYER

Dear Lord, help us to understand your truth and may you be glad to see us walking in the truth. Help us and our children to walk in the truth.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Buy truth and do not sell it. (Proverbs 23:23)

George Mathew (Manu)
St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church, Vancouver, BC Canada

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind wh...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tel...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things...
Read more