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.
Scripture reading for December 7th: 3rd John 1-15
John’s third letter is the shortest book of the New Testament. John writes this letter to a friend, Gaius, whom he loves. John wants to encourage him in his walk with the Lord and warn him concerning an individual who is disrupting the church.
“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. 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 that to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” (3rd John 2-4) John’s personal greeting and short prayer for him showed John’s faith in God’s will for each believer. God wants us well and living in a state of wholeness. This is most often a fruit of walking in faith in God’s truth. John was filled with joy at a good report from a church where he had pastored. We know that faith and walking in truth always pleases God as well! (Hebrews 11:6)
“Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you. They have told the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. We ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth.” John writes to encourage Gaius about his hospitality. He evidently had hosted brothers and provided for their needs. John says that this is the right thing to do.
“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) John encouraged Gaius to imitate the good, not those who were evil. Selfishness works division and strife in a church that must be dealt with by leadership. Consider how to apply these scriptures today!