Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

April 20
Monday


FAITHFUL GAIUS

READ:
3 John
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Third John presents a sharp contrast between the way two members of the church welcomed believers who visited them. The letter is addressed to "the beloved" Gaius, whom John loved "in truth" (v.1). The truth was in him as he walked with God (v.3). Whatever he did for his "brethren"-- intinerant missionaries and teachers such as Paul--he did it faithfully and with love (vv.5-6).

Diotrephes was another story. he was proud and domineering (v.9), and he spoke against those who came in the name of Christ (v.10), probably even Paul. In addition, he drove out of the church anyone who wanted to accept them. No doubt he did this to protect his position and self-interests and to keep the focus on himself.

My wife, Shirley, and I, along with our granddaughter Bree, recently visited a country once closed to the gospel. The believers welcomed us with trust, openness, hospitality, and genuine love. Though they had little, their generosity was astounding. What an encouragement to us! They truly followed the example of faithful Gaus.

May God give us a loving and faithful spirit that enables us to treat our fellow believers in "a manner worthy of God" (v.6). __dave Egner
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```````````````````A time for fellowship that's sweet,``````````````
````````````````````````A time for sacred song;`````````````````
`````````````````````But never is there time to treat``````````````
```````````````````A human being wrong. __Isenhour`````````````
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Christlike hospitality is an open heart
and an open home.

****************Today's Bible Reading __ 3 John*****************

1 The Elder, to the beloved
Gaius, whom I love in truth:

2 Beloved, I pray that you
may prosper in all things and
be in health, just as your soul
prospers. 3 For I rejoiced
greatly when brethren came
and testified of the truth that
is in you, just as you walk in
the truth. 4 I have no greater
joy than to hear that my
children walk in truth.

5 Beloved, you do faithfully
whatever you do for the
brethren and for strangers,

6 who have borne witness of
your love before the church.
If you send them forward on
their journey in a manner
worthy of God, you will do
well, 7 because they went
forth for his name's sake,
taking nothing from the
Gentiles. 8 We therefore
ought to receive such, that
we may become fellow
workers for the truth.

9 I wrote to the church, but
Diotrephes, who loves to
have the preeminence among
them, does not receive us.

10 Therefore, if I come, I will
call to mind his deeds which
he does, prating against us
with malicious words....

11 Beloved, do not imitate
what is evil, but what is
good. He who does good is
of God, but he who does evil
has not seen God.

12 Demetrius has a good
testimony from all, and from
the truth itself. and we also
bear witness, and you know
that our testimony is true.

13 I had many things to
write, but I do not wish to
write to you with pen and
ink; 14 but I hope to see you
shortly, and we shall speak
face to face.

Peace to you. Our friends
greet you. Greet the friends
by name.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

John writes, "Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good.
He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God"
(v.11). Our focus should be to observe and practice godly living while
putting aside behavior that displeases God. __Dennis Fisher