DEC 29

3 John
Memorise 3 John 5-6
“That we might be fellowhelpers to the truth”

In the early church there were itinerant evangelists and missionaries. They left their full-time labours and they devoted themselves to the spreading of the gospel. They travelled from church to church and they launched out to preach the gospel to the Gentiles in places where the gospel could not be heard, and Gaius welcomed these travelling evangelists and missionaries into his home. He knew some of them personally but there were those who were strangers to him. Some were sent by the church at Ephesus where John was residing and they reported back to him of the charity they had received from Gaius. Having received their good report, John writes to show his appreciation and commendation for Gaius’ hospitality. At the same time, in verse 6b, there was also a call for Gaius to continue in that hospitality. How did Gaius receive his visitors? First, he welcomed them warmly. He opened his house to them. You can also be sure that they were not only housed but also well fed. Thus there was care and love shown for even the unknown brethren. In today’s context, this care and love would also include attending to their health needs and medical problems! John needed to single out this kind deed of Gaius for there were those in the church leadership who did not support him in this. One of them was Diotrephes who refused to receive the visitors and even forbade others to receive them. He was a disgrace to the church for he did not walk in truth and love. John wanted Gaius to be a good example and to keep on showing this kind of care and provision and encouragement for missionaries.

To have the freedom to preach to the Gentiles freely, these travelling evangelists will take nothing from unbelievers. If the church does not receive them, they will not have any other means of support. John says, that is incumbent upon us who are already believers to support the mission of evangelists to those who are unbelievers. Dear teen, we must not only support our missionaries and evangelists in their physical needs, but we can also pray for them, encourage them when possible, and do all that we can to aid them in their ministry. If so, then we can all be counted as fellow-helpers to the truth.

Thought: “Always and everywhere that man is highly esteemed in the church, who combines firm convictions with a generous heart.”
Prayer: Gracious heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word that convicts us that we have fallen short of that which You intend us to be. We ask that You would enable us to show this kind of love to those who labour for the gospel and spread the Word of God around the world.