3 John 5-8
Beloved, you do faithfulness when you work among the
brothers and these foreigners, who testify to your love before the assembly, regarding
whom you will do well after sending them on their way in a manner worthy of
God. For on behalf of the name they went
out while receiving nothing from the Gentiles.
Therefore we ought to assist in supplying a need such as this in order
that we should become coworkers for the truth.
Thoughts for Today
First Thought:
In this section we see the reason that John is writing
Gaius. There is a travelling group of
people who are proclaiming Christ, and they are headed in Gaius’ general
direction. John is encouraging Gaius to
welcome them and support them.
Furthermore, since Gaius is likely a leading member of the spiritual
community, John is hoping that if Gaius receives and supports them that he will
be an example to the rest of the community.
In a nutshell, John is using his influence to extend hospitality to
these missionaries from those who care about John’s opinion.
What does this say about John? Do you think John is right in asking for
Gaius to support them? How might this
speak into our lives about our own spheres of influence and when we should use
our influence?
Second Thought:
Let’s talk about this traveling group of people a little
more deeply. Look at how John describes
them. They left their life behind them
for the sake of the name – that is, for the sake of Jesus. They have not received support from the
Gentile world. They gave up safety and
security in order to trust in God and to trust that God will work through those
who love God. John finds this kind of
sacrifice worthy of support.
Do you believe in this kind of sacrifice? Would you be willing to support someone who
stepped away from everything in order to proclaim the name of Jesus to the
world? Where do you already support such
people?
Third Thought:
John gives us a neat thought in the last verse of this
section. When we support people who are
doing the work of the Lord, we become coworkers with them. When we reach out and assist people who are
trying to be obedient to God, we become co-obedient! Christians should be about partnership and
unity in God. We should be about
fellowshipping in God’s mission.
Where are you partnering with others in God’s mission to the
world? What does that feel like for you?
Passage for Tomorrow: 3 John 9-10
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