Three Little Letters

Here is a link to last week’s series, Three Little Letters.

3 John 1-14 (J.B. Phillips )

This is John’s last little letter, and it is written to his dear friend, Gaius. But of course, as with the previous letters, we can embrace much of this message in our own hearts and lives.

As we read this last letter together, can you find ways to validate your faith in Jesus through the text? I know that you can.

John’s letter to Gaius compares and contrasts the lives of two very different people in the Church. One is a deceiver; the other is a true humble servant and a follower of Christ Jesus.

As the letter opens, John commends Gaius for exemplifying Christ-like hospitality and love for the Church. Gaius welcomes true believers and ministers who are strangers; we should do the same. If not, this is a warning of a disconnect in our walk with Christ.

Let’s read some of this Spirit-filled letter to Gaius.

My heartfelt prayer for you, my very dear friend, is that you may be as healthy and prosperous in every way that you are in soul.

I was delighted when the brothers arrived and spoke so highly of the sincerity of your life—obviously you are living in the truth. Nothing brings me greater joy nowadays than hearing that “my children” are living “in the truth”.

You are doing a fine faithful piece of work, my dear friend, in looking after the brothers who come your way, especially when you have never seen them before.

They have testified to your love before the Church. It is a fine thing to help them on their way—it shows you realize the importance of what they are doing.

They set out on this work, as you know for the sake of “the name” and they accept no help from non-Christians. We ought to give such men a real welcome and prove that we too are co-operating with the truth.

Diotrophes:

I did write a letter to the church, but Diotrephes, who wants to be head of everything, does not recognize us! If I do come to you, I shall not forget his actions nor the slanderous things he has said against us. And it doesn’t stop there, alas, for although he wants to be leader, he refuses the duty of welcoming the brothers himself and stops those who would like to do so—he even excommunicates them!

Read John’s advice for one of the validations of faith that we have spoken about.

“A little piece of advice: and I shall soon be seeing you personally. Never let evil be your example, dear friend of mine, but always good. The man who does good is God’s man, but the man who does evil does not know God at all.“

Demetrius:

Everyone has a good word to say for Demetrius and the very truth speaks well of him. He has our warm recommendation also, and you know you can trust what we say about anyone.

There is a great deal I want to say to you, but I can’t put it down in black and white. I hope to see you before long, and we will have a heart-to-heart talk. Peace be with you. All our friends here send love: please give ours personally to all our friends at your end.

JOHN

Here is a list of words. They are just words until you realize that they describe what flows from your heart.

• hospitable
• sincere
• truthful
• joyful
• faithful
• welcoming
• loving
• hopeful
• cooperative
• self-important
• slanderous
• greedy
• selfish
• stubborn
• unwelcoming
• conceited
• evil
• dishonest

Share the Gospel in your world.

Isaiah 52:7

J.B. Phillips New Testament (PHILLIPS)

The New Testament in Modern English by J.B Phillips copyright © 1960, 1972 J. B. Phillips. Administered by The Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England. Used by Permission.