I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

3 John 1:4 (New International Version)

Nothing could make me happier than getting reports that my children continue diligently in the way of Truth!

3 John 1:4 (The Message)

I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth.

3 John 1:4 (New Living Translation)

No one wants to deal with these facts. But anyone who examines this evidence will come to stake his life on this: that God himself is the truth.

John 3:33 (The Message)

The man who has accepted it has certified that God is truthful.

John 3:33 (New International Version)

Anyone who accepts his testimony can affirm that God is true.

John 3:33 (New Living Translation)

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

3 John 1:4 (New International Version)

Nothing could make me happier than getting reports that my children continue diligently in the way of Truth!

3 John 1:4 (The Message)

I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth.

3 John 1:4 (New Living Translation)

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

3 John 1:4 (New International Version)

Nothing could make me happier than getting reports that my children continue diligently in the way of Truth!

3 John 1:4 (The Message)

I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth.

3 John 1:4 (New Living Translation)

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

2 Timothy 3:16 (New Living Translation)

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.

2 Timothy 3:16 (New International Version)

Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way.

2 Timothy 3:16 (The Message)

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

3 John 1:4 (New International Version)

Nothing could make me happier than getting reports that my children continue diligently in the way of Truth!

3 John 1:4 (The Message)

I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth.

3 John 1:4 (New Living Translation)

Concentrate on doing your best for God, work you won’t be ashamed of, laying out the truth plain and simple.

2 Timothy 2:15 (The Message)

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15 (New International Version)

Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15 (New Living Translation)

The Jewish leaders wouldn’t believe he had been blind … John 9:18 (NLT)

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When Jesus healed a man born blind, the Pharisees opened an investigation to determine exactly what had happened. Yet, it appears they decided ahead of time what the answer should be, so when the facts didn’t support their predetermined conclusion, they just kept searching until they found facts they liked.

The Apostle John shows us a sequence of snapshots related to the Pharisee’s investigation:

· They ask the man, formally known as blind, what happened (John 9:13-16), but in this story of a blind man, seeing is not believing to the Pharisees.

· They ask the previously blind man who had healed him (John 9:17), and then they attempted to undermine the credibility of Jesus.

· They ask the man’s parents what they thought had happened (John 9:19-23), and in the process, they began to question the formerly blind man’s credibility.

· They returned to the question: “What did he do?” (John 9:26), demanding an explanation. Their focus was on the “how” and not the “wow.” Instead of saying, “This man who was blind can now see! Wow, God!” they have to know exactly what happened and how it happened. They walk by sight and not by faith, the exact opposite of what we’re taught in 2 Corinthians 5:7.

· When they’re not getting the answers they want, the Pharisees begin to ridicule this man, who now had 20/20 vision: “Then they cursed him and said, ‘You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses.’” (John 9:28)

· When the Pharisees cannot intimidate the man, frightening him into abandoning his testimony, they pass judgment on him and throw him out of the synagogue. (John 9:30-34)

A sign of our spiritual maturity is when we follow truth, wherever it leads, and we face the truth no matter how much it hurts or how much it costs.

We are called to come out of the darkness and to be obedient to the Truth, who is Jesus Christ, our Lord, who said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6, HCSB)

What does this mean?

· Seek truth, don’t defend – When faced with something or someone you don’t understand, ask God to show you the truth and to help you let go of your preconceived notions or the prejudices you defend.

· Check the ridicule in you – If you find yourself ridiculing someone or his position, putting her down, vilifying another, then check with God. Ask him to show you the root of your attitudes and to guide you into a position of love.

Remain teachable – No matter who you are or what position you hold, there are always things you can learn. The Pharisees were unteachable, rejecting anything that challenged their preconceived ideas. God sends us teachers all the time; Let Jesus open your eyes so you are no longer blind to them.