Reading Other People’s Mail: 3 John – Day 1
Introduction
This is John’s 3rd letter. All three letters are addressed to churches or to individuals in the churches as is the case in this third letter. This third letter has a different tone to it. There are still problems in the churches, but this is a little different. John is still facing resistance, but it doesn’t seem like this resistance is from false teachers. This time, a local church leader/pastor is bad talking John and refusing to be in relationship with other Christians who are traveling for the sake of ministry. John is certainly concerned about the behavior of this leader. At the same time, he recognizes two other individuals who are “walking in truth” and supportive of the ongoing ministry among the churches.
This letter is a helpful reminder that relationships are messy, even in the church. We all have baggage and when the baggage goes unchecked we can end up resisting the very things and people that we should support. When things really go wrong the result might be “power plays” and gossip.
Sin is something that every single one of us has to be on guard against. If we’re not, then before we know it, we are giving in to fighting the very people we are called to love and walk with, in Christ.
One of the ways to guard our own lives against indwelling sin is to pray like the Psalmist prayed in Psalm 139:23-24,
Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
It’s also important to remember that temptation and attack is sometimes spiritual in nature. We have an enemy who comes to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10).
Peter reminds us in 1 Peter 5:6-9,
8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
Earlier, Peter says to his readers to embrace humility. There’s something about humility that is protection in and of itself. Humility is not making more of oneself than one should. Humility is always looking out for the interests of others. Humility resists false power. Humility serves and sacrifices and is careful not to draw too much attention to oneself
3 John – Day 1
Read 3 John 1-4
This is a personal letter. It’s not written to a church. It is written to one person. There are actually three people mentioned in the letter. Their names have all but disappeared into history. What we get is simply a glimpse into who they are and how they are connected to the Apostle John.
The letter is addressed to man by the name of Gaius, a friend of John’s. John is addressing an issue in one of the churches and introducing Gaius to a partner in the ministry by the name of Demetrius.
John has a close relationship with Gaius. Three times John addresses Gaius as Dear Friend (verses 2, 5, and 11). We find out why in the introductory verses (1-4).
John is overjoyed because Gaius continues to “walk in the truth” (v. 3). In previous readings this has been mentioned, but it cannot be overstated. The truth for John has everything to do with Jesus—the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6).
In John 14, Jesus reminded the disciples of his love and ongoing presence just before He was arrested, tortured, and crucified. They didn’t understand his words about “going to the fathers house, going to prepare a place for them, a place where they could someday be” (John 14:1-3).
Thomas, the disciple, was brave enough to say, “We don’t know where you are going, show us the way” (14:5).
Jesus responded, “6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
In his letters, John is highlighting that Jesus is the source of truth. Take out the real Jesus and you have a lie. And take away love and you take away the supreme indicator of one’s connection to Jesus.
John is filled with joy because he has just heard a report of Gaius’ walk. He is faithful to the truth (Jesus) and continues to walk in it (3 John 3). In fact, John’s greatest joy is to hear that his children, the individuals who he has introduced to Christ are walking in truth.
Application:
What does “walking in truth” look like today?- What are the challenges to “walking in truth?”
This last week I was reminded of Timothy who was mentored by the Apostle Paul. Timothy was a child when Paul first met him. Over time Paul became both Timothy’s spiritual father and his mentor in ministry. Paul calls Timothy “my true son in the faith” (1 Timothy 2). This is common Biblical language. It is family language. Spiritual moms and dads are always introducing others to God and telling others about the forgiveness and mercy that are available through Jesus.
Who is your Paul? Who is your spiritual father or mother? Who helped you come to know Christ?
Who is your Timothy? Who is the person, the young man or young woman, who you have led to Christ and are mentoring?
Consider writing down a key verse or verses from today on an index card or small piece of paper and carry it with you today. Look at it as often as you can as a reminder of what you learned today.
