Scripture Text: 3 John 1:1-8
I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
3 John 1:4 (HCSB)
What brings you joy? I find great pleasure in eating whatever that my wife cooks or bakes for us. I know that she finds pleasure as well as she sees us enjoying what she had prepared for us and how we exclaimed our enjoyment when we eat it.
What brings a person joy reveals something about them. For the apostle John, his joy was hearing that “my children are walking in the truth” (v. 4). In this third epistle (the shortest book in the New Testament!) John refers to himself simply as “the elder” (v. 1). “Gaius” appears to have been a specific person, probably a pastor or other church leader. As in 2 John, he loved him “in the truth” by which they both lived.
John’s greeting showed concern for both physical and spiritual health (v. 2). Most of all, he rejoiced to hear that Gaius was “walking in the truth,” meaning that he was living, growing, and ministering in faithful love and obedience (vv. 3–4; see 2 John 4). By referring to Gaius as one of “my children,” John might be indicating that he’d been the one to originally lead Gaius to Christ.
The apostle commended Gaius and his congregation for showing hospitality to traveling teachers and missionaries (vv. 5–8). (This was exactly the kind of hospitality he commanded not to be shown to false teachers in 2 John.) Hospitality played a key role in the growth of the early church and can be compared to the way we support missionaries today. John praised it as a practical example of faithfulness (v. 5), love (v. 6), honoring God (v. 6), and working together for the truth (v. 8). For their part, the itinerant teachers and missionaries were motivated by the gospel, God’s glory, and the name of Christ (v. 7).
Reflect
1. What brings you the greatest joy in your Christian walk, and how can you strive to find joy in the same way John did in verse 4?
2. Think of a time when you showed hospitality or support to a fellow believer. How did it make you feel, and how can you continue to demonstrate this love for your Christian brothers and sisters?
3. Reflect on the people or ministries you currently support in your faith community. Are you actively contributing to the work of the Lord, and if not, how can you begin to do so?
Remember
Believers-followers of Christ, this encourages us to live in alignment with God's truth, extend love and hospitality to our Christian brothers and sisters, and actively assist those who are spreading the message of faith.
"Walk in truth, show love, and support fellow believers in the work of the Lord."
Our prayers and gifts are an important part of taking the gospel to every person. Today, pray for your pastors and a missionary you know!
Read
Psalm 26:1-3; Psalm 119:11; Matthew 10:40; 1 Corinthians 9:12-14; Colossians 3:17
Pray
Heavenly Father, we pray for missionaries and church leaders, knowing that You hold them to a high standard. Give them strength against temptation, courage to proclaim the truth, and gracious words to speak to others.
We also pray for those who have strayed, that they may find their way back to your loving embrace. We ask for your continued guidance and protection.
In His name I pray. Amen.
Comments