DEC 28

3 John
Memorise 3 John 11
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”

3 John is a letter by the Apostle John addressed to a dear friend called Gaius, a wealthy and influential leader of the local church, concerning the activities of two men. One was Diotrephes, who not only loved to be first or have preeminence in the church (3 John 9) but also had become so powerful that he even refused to receive the brethren sent by the apostle John. Those who wanted to do so were commanded by him to stop. He is an example of a bad church leader who is arrogant and not walking in truth and love. He did not extend hospitality to itinerant teachers who had traveled from afar to visit the church. In contrast to him, John gave a good example which Gaius should follow. This was Demetrius who was walking in truth, and had a good report of all men. He was a faithful man and in following him, Gaius would be doing good. Gaius had been helping the visitors, which was good. This was what Christians ought to do. Thus John encouraged Gaius to follow after his good deeds.

God is the origin of all that is good. Those who are God’s children should do good. By our good deeds, we show that we know God. Nothing that is bad comes from God. When we walk with God, we must not do evil things. The person who does evil things does not know God. Although Christians are not perfect yet, God is making us perfect. Thus the message of 3 John is applicable to all of us, that we should abound in love, and joy in hospitality toward fellow helpers in the Lord, and be aware of the danger of a domineering leadership which is not pleasing to the Lord and cannot be the way of blessing to the people of God.

Dear teen, do you know who to imitate among the believers in church? Like Gaius, you must follow those who are faithful in their walk with God. Do not admire or follow those who, although very intelligent in their studies, have no time for God and are not interested in the things of God. Worse still, they might even invite you to join their pleasure seeking ways instead of reading and studying the Bible. The memory verse today tells us to follow that which is good for he that doeth good is of God. Doing good includes caring for the poor, weak and needy in our church and certainly for the visitors who come to our church.

Thought: Jesus went about doing good.
Prayer: Gracious heavenly Father, grant me a kind and loving heart to care for the weak, poor and needy that are around me.