Overflowing Joy

One of the greatest joys I've known as a mother was to hear my boys were courteous and polite ... when I wasn't around to make them. Yes, we practiced good manners at home but there was no guarantee those practice sessions would actually pay-off! Listen to these precious words of John to his friend and fellow Believer, Gaius: "I was overjoyed when some brethren came and testified of the truth in you - how you are waling in truth ... I have no greater joy than this - to hear that my children are walking in the truth." (John 3, Verses 3-4, Tree of Life Version). John's overflowing joy was that Gaius, was meeting God's expection of living-out The Truth in his life. In other words, Gaius was "walking the walk and talking the talk" - all hypocrisy aside, his faith was being proved genuine. What a disconnect we witness so much today by many who say one thing but do another thing. The lack of spiritual integrity dishonors God and has greatly soiled the Name of Christ and His Church. What encouragement, however, when Believers walk [among one another] in Truth; proving how much they truly love Jesus. What joy we are to all people [especially other Believers] when we make God's Truth the way of life - yes, it is ... overflowing joy!