Tag: 3 John
Fellow workers!
Scripture reading for November 27: 3 John
“Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. For they have gone out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.” 3 John 2-8
John’s third letter gives us insight into what gives God and pastors great joy. John began with a prayer for the pastor that all would go well with his soul and that he would be in good health. John rejoiced with Gaius, the beloved elder of this church, that the believers were walking in the truth. Faith always pleases God and is a source of joy for church leadership.
John had encouragement for the church there as they were showing hospitality to some strangers. These were brothers who were fellow workers in Christ’s kingdom and they had given John a good report on the generosity and hospitality of this church. John confirmed their good deeds and generosity and suggested that this church send these brothers on their way in a manner worthy of God Himself. These workers were living by faith and accepted nothing from the Gentiles that they might preach the Gospel to them. When believers support these missionary workers, they share in the harvest that is reaped and bring God’s joy, blessing and provision flowing back towards them. This world view would bless the church and God!
Are you sometimes reluctant to support those who are missionaries and may be strangers to you? Are you aware that when you support missionaries, you actually share in their work and bring joy to God by your faith? Is it also wise to seek the recommendation of elders concerning missionary workers?
Prayer: Father God, I want to please You and bring joy to those in church leadership. Help me to discern those who are reaping a harvest and sowing the Gospel from those who may be deceivers. I desire to prosper and be in health because of a healthy soul that is generous towards kingdom workers. Amen.
A Pastor’s heart
Scripture reading for December 19: 2 John; 3 John
“Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.” 3rd John 2
John open his third letter with a greeting to his personal friend, Gaius, and a short prayer for him. Prayer should shape everything we do. It is an act of love coming from a soul that is healthy and focused on God’s will and His desire to love and bless others. This short prayer reveals John’s heart for his friend and us as well!
“I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father.” 2 John 4 “It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell about your faithfulness to the truth and how you continue to walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” 3rd John 3-4
Our reputation gets around in the church. If we are faithful and walk in the truth, everyone knows about it. Faithfulness brings great joy to God and to those in authority in the church. Those in authority have to give an account to the Lord for those they oversee. (Hebrews 13:17) When pastors talk to the Lord about those who are disobedient and unfaithful, it brings sorrow and painful intercession! Gaius had been walking in the truth and blessing visiting missionaries by providing for their needs. He was commended!
“I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will have nothing to do with us. So if I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, gossiping maliciously about us. Not satisfied with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church.” (3rd John 9-10)
Diotrephes was one of those brothers that was causing pain to the Apostle and others in the body of Christ. A bad reputation spreads around and must be dealt with. If the person will not change and repent after confrontation, others in the church must be warned so that they are not caught up in the sins. John wanted to come personally and deal with the situation, and would soon.
This short letter shows us how our personal attitudes and actions affect others and are known in the body of Christ. Leaders must have a good reputation. When we love to be first like Diotrephes, our selfishness causes troubles and indicates that we are not from God. (3rd John 11) If we are a loving servant, like Gaius and Demetrius (3rd John 12), we show by love that Christ’s love is in us! There’s no greater joy for a pastor than to have God’s people walking in truth and love!