I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth.
The old apostle’s chief joy
The affairs of the soul are not so entirely hidden as we may sometimes imagine. I do not see the roots of my plants; but if they grow, and are fragrant, and bear fruit, I know better than if I could look at them that the roots are thriving. Nothing is easier than to tell whether a man is walking or standing still; and again, whether firmly or with weary and fainting steps; and again, in what direction. Walking in the truth is that which is expected of all Christians; yet it does not so uniformly or so fully accompany a Christian profession but that the seeing of it and the hearing about it cause lively joy. It brings into the relations of friend and friend the best kind of gladness; for friendship is more concerned about the inside than the outside, and a good walk seen is taken as hopeful evidence of a prosperous state within, sure to end well.
1. For one thing, the life of one who walks in the truth will be governed by Divine principles. The standard of the new life is fixed by God, not by us; the reason of it is the will of the Father, not our will; the strength to enter on and to keep going forward in it is His strength, not ours.
2. For another thing, if a man is walking in the truth, his life will be pure and consistent. Veracity in speech, integrity in all dealing with man, a sense of honour, are sure fruits of a life governed by Christ. Such clear, sterling integrity before man is not all by any means that is intended by “walking in the light as God is in the light,” but--it certainly is part of that. No; not all. For mark in what terms John expounds to the elect lady his conception of what walking in the truth means (verses 6, 7). For a man to have ascertained the due balance of truth and love in the government of his conduct is to have made the most important of all discoveries. Love, without the backbone of truth, is weakness and sentimentalism. Truth wanting love is a grinning skeleton, is not true.
3. Looking to the case of the elect lady we find, for one thing, that walking in the truth means careful orthodoxy.
4. For another thing, it appears that walking in the truth means the maintaining of Christian influences at home. (A. M. Symington, D. D.)
A Christian family
I. A christian mother.
1. A praying mother. Every mother is a praying mother in the sense of wishing well, or of entertaining some hopes of the future prosperity of her children. A truly praying mother is anxious for the salvation of her children. Richard Cecil tried, when a boy, to be an infidel, but his mother’s prayers blocked the way. Garibaldi never lost his courage on the field of battle, because he saw his mother on her knees praying for him. The wife of the late Rev. William Jones, Castle Street, Swansea, held a separate family worship with her children. A gentleman came one day to see Mr. Jones on business, and when he was told by the eldest boy, who opened the door, that his father was from home, he asked to see Mrs. Jones. The boy said, “You will have to wait, sir, until she finishes praying with the children.” He immediately left the room to join the little party. The gentleman, while alone, said to himself, “I am the father of six children, and have never offered a prayer with them.” The example of the praying mother made a new man of him.
2. An exemplary mother. The power of imitation is great in children, and the example sometimes is more powerful than prayer. Take a homely illustration. The hen has a swarm of a dozen little ones hopping about her. As she moves, how careful she is in putting down her foot, lest they be trampled upon. Unguarded mothers stamp on their children and crush the good out of them.
3. A watchful mother. The young heart is impressible, and will more readily receive evil impressions than good ones. The Christian mother will not tolerate indulgence in sin. The “elect lady” was the guardian angel of the hearts of her children, which she often found “prone to wander” from the paths of truth and virtue.
4. A happy mother. A gleam of joy on the countenance, a beam of hope in the speech, and a loving touch of the hand will recommend religion to the child beyond our expectation. The poet Cowper said of his mother’s likeness, “I had rather possess that picture than the richest jewel in the British crown.” Years never effaced her love and devotion from his heart. The “elect lady,” as we may infer from the following verses, had learnt that love is the essence of the gospel.
II. The children.
1. They believed the truth. They were converted children. There is here no reference to natural beauty or grace of manner. There are many attractions both in the persons and the lives of children. It is a perpetual entertainment to live with some children. But on all points of natural endowment the apostle is silent. Their spiritual state alone engaged his attention.
2. They loved the truth. The tendrils of the Divine vine had extended from the intellect to the heart. When the heart is won for Christ the whole life will follow.
3. They lived the truth. The meaning of περιπατέω in the New Testament in reference to character signifies “habit and practice.” The Apostle John had sufficient evidence that the children of the “elect lady” were consistent followers of Christ.
III. The religious education of children is a duty, “as we received commandment from the Father.” It is a very old commandment (Deuteronomy 6:6-7) (T. Davies, M A.)
The right mother
My answer to the question, “How I was educated,” ends where it began. “I had the right mother.” (T. Dwight, LL. D.)
A good mother
Of his mother the late John Stuart Blackie said, “My mother died when I was ten years old, and I remember her only as everything that was womanly and motherly. I have no doubt that I owe much of what is best in my moral and emotional nature to her.”