NOVEMBER 26 READING…3 JOHN 1
This is a very personal letter by John. In this letter he speaks of three different people and the impact they had on his life and ministry. He speaks of the good and the bad. He begins with Gaius, who apparently is a younger man than John. John is so happy that Gaius is a man of truth…God’s truth. Truth was so important to John and should be very important to us. John goes so far to say that there is no greater joy in his life than to see one of his disciples walking in truth. Love without truth is not love, but sentimentalism…and truth without love is not truth, but brutality. John speaks also of Gaius’ ministry to strangers, his witness, and his love. The impact of Gaius’ ministry is touching lives far beyond his personal influence. The second person John speaks of is Diotrephes who was filled with personal pride, to the place that he had to have the limelight for himself. He talked nonsense according to John, and spoke malicious words of others in order to build himself up. He was a man of words only; his actions never reflected his boasting words. Anyone who would dare to disagree with Diotrephes, he would cast out of the church. He is clearly not a Pastor, but an abusive hireling. Finally, John speaks of Demetrius who like Gaius has a good testimony and is a follower and practitioner of the truth. We all should aspire to be like Gaius and Demetrius, and to never act for person gain like Diotrephes.
Please share your thoughts.
TOMORROW’S READING…JUDE 1
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