Well we finished the 3 epistle’s of John where we learned a lot about staying focused on God and how we should treat others.A lot of focus on the love we need to share with one another and be on the lookout for those trying to deceive us and draw us away from what we know is the truth. John was probably closer to Jesus than anyone else so he knew the kind love Jesus wanted us to share. He showed us what it means to lift each other up when we know they are following the will God. These are three good epistle’s that we could read over and over again and gain more out of them each time. Praying that God will show me where to go from here if anyone has a suggestion let me know.
Monthly Archives: November 2017
3 John 1:13-14
3 john 1:13 I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:
14 But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.
John in these last two verses says that he does not need to write anymore because he is going to come in person. Today a lot of people do not write letters to their friends and christian brethren because of the use of cell phones and email. We should try to write to the ones we love on regular basis, because believe it or not it would mean a lot to them if they can see you in person. He ends with saying to greet your friends by name, and that is good because people like to here their name called. Whenever you are in an establishment where people name badges try to see what their name is and call them by name as you leave and see what a difference it makes in them. We need to be more aware of the people we come in contact with each and see how God can use us to brighten their day.
3 John 1:11-12
3 John 1:11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
12 Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.
John tells us in theses verses two different things. First he refers to the people who do not follow what is good but continues in pursuing those things which are evil which means they are not true followers of God. He goes on to say the ones who do good and helps their brethren is of God and those that continue to do evil have never really known God. Last he tells us that for those that we know who do good we should testify of their good deeds to others and encourage all that know the truth of God’s word to let people know of those that are true followers of God. We should also be aware of those false teachers and warn people of them.
3 John 1:9-10
3 John 1:9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.
In these verses John is letting us know that there are people in churches today who are in leadership positions that will not like others telling them what to do. When John did not get a response from a letter he sent to church he knew the leader of that church was full of pride. This person plotted against what was good, malicious words against good people, would not allow a Godly man in his church, and would cast out anyone who was against him. It is good for us to be close enough to God to be able to recognize people like this and not sit under their teaching. As noted here John said he would remember how this person rejected him and the ones who were true followers of Christ. People like this today need us praying for them to see the truth and humble themselves before God.
3 John 1:7-8
3 John 1:7 Because that for his name’s sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.
8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.
John gives several grounds for practicing hospitality in a manner worthy of God. First, one must show hospitality to those who have pure motives. Second, one must show hospitality to those who are not in ministry for money. Third, those who show hospitality participate in the ministries of those to whom hospitality is shown.We should always show hospitality to those who spread the Gospel of Christ because they are not in it for money and depend on fellow believers for a lot of what they need. The person who supplies the support for the missionary is just as involved in the missionary task, as the one who actually goes with the message. We need to remember this when we have missionaries visit our church and do what we can to help them. Please attend a good Bible believing church today, who knows you could a visiting missionary show up.
3 John 1:5-6
3 John 1:5 Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;
6 Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:
Theses verse help us to see that we need to practice hospitality not only toward those whom we know but also to those whom we do not know. We should be filled with hospitality for all the Christian brothers, whether they are strangers to us or not. Our reputation for hospitality and kindness, as well as obedience should be practiced to the degree it is known to others. We should encourage others to practice a Godly hospitality to all they come in contact with. We should know that when we treat people as God would treat them we are doing it in manner that hospitality should be practiced. We would do well to be as good a servant to God as Gaius was.
3 John 1:3-4
3 John 1:3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.
4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
We know John here is talking to his friend in Christ who people would tell him about of how he followed the the teachings John about being obedient to God. He was pleased to here of how his friend walked in the truth every day. Johns friend prospered in his soul and his daily walk bears out his faith in the truth. There is no greater joy than to know someone you have led to the Lord is walking in the salvation they received. Those who walk, or conduct, in the truth, or
belief, have integrity; there is no difference between professing and living them. We should hope that we could as good a teacher as John that people would talk to us about the lives we have affected or that we could tell people of the ones that lead us to Christ.
3 John 1:2
3 John 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
This scripture we have heard many times but do we really pay attention to what it is saying.Throughout the whole Bible we see if the people would follow God as He directed they would prosper in all things.If we will continue to grow in righteousness the word says here we will prosper in health and in all things.Clean living is good way to stay healthy. Some of the diseases that we have, we bring on ourselves with the type of life we live. This is not always the case, but is true many times. We need to strive everyday to try to live the that helps our soul to grow closer to God and stand back and watch what He does for us.
3 John 1:1
3 John 1:1 The elder unto the well beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
As John writes this 3rd epistle we see he addresses someone he values as a good friend in Christ. He said he loved Gaius in truth which meant he truly loved him in a fashion consonant with the Christian meaning of that word. The reason that John thinks so much of him, is because he also is a student of truth. To be in the truth, it would have to be part of you. We could learn from this that there are probably people in our lives that we fell we are closer to than others because of the experiences we have had with them. Because we share things in truth with them we know we can count on them when we need someone to lean on.Also it helps us to see we need others in our life to help us to grow closer to God.
2 John 1:12-13
2 John 1 :12 Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.
13 The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.
These last two verses John is telling the people he has been speaking to that he will not write to them anymore but that he would rather come and see them. It is good to write to fellow believers from time to time but being in fellowship with other believers is more fulfilling. When believers uphold the biblical standards for fellowship, the result is genuine joy among believers because the truths of the Word are maintained. As he ends this he refers to woman like he did at the beginning of this chapter. It lets us know to that she had children so she was a mother and we know from experience today that a lot mothers are responsible for their families being close to God. Let us always be ready to encourage those that are believers in our families and our church families so we can stay strong in the Lord.