Today’s Reading: 3 John

We started in Genesis in January of 2024, and we have almost made our way through the Bible. We only have the book of Revelation left after today. Thank you for joining me on this chronological journey. Let’s finish strong.

There was a lot of misinformation being passed around the region regarding the death and resurrection of Jesus. The disciples were called to spread the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and there was a strong camaraderie between them centered around this calling. They were brothers, comrades, and friends. They loved each other, prayed for one another, and shared generously across the body of Christ, treating each other like family.

Some of the traveling teachers recently returned and made me very happy by telling me about your faithfulness and that you are living according to the truth. I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth. – 3 John 3-4

The hope of those investing their lives in spreading the truth was that those who listened would become believers, and that by believing they might be saved. The apostles wanted these Christ-followers to be faithful to God and live according to the truth they had been taught. So when news arrived that they were spiritually healthy, John wrote a letter in order to both encourage them and warn them.

PROVIDE GENEROUSLY FOR THOSE WHO ARE TEACHING YOU

Dear friend, you are being faithful to God when you care for the traveling teachers who pass through, even though they are strangers to you. They have told the church here of your loving friendship. Please continue providing for such teachers in a manner that pleases God. For they are traveling for the Lord, and they accept nothing from people who are not believers. So we ourselves should support them so that we can be their partners as they teach the truth. – 3 John 5-8

There was one among them who wanted to be a leader, but who was speaking ill of those who were preaching and teaching. He did not welcome them when they were in town, and he demanded that no one else in the church give money to them or help them in any way. This was not the example of generosity or love that John wanted the church to follow.

Dear friend, don’t let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God’s children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God. – 3 John 11

I am writing to remind you, dear friends, that we should love one another. This is not a new commandment, but one we have had from the beginning. Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning. – 2 John 5-6

John encouraged them to respect those whose lives reflected the truths they had been taught, and to show love for one another. As an elder in the church, John was advising them not to blindly follow any leader, but to look for leaders whose talk was consistent with their walk. If one leader in the church is speaking ill of another leader in the church, ask God for discernment on which of those leaders is behaving in a way that is consistent with biblical teaching.

Father God, please help us as a church not to stray from the truth found in your word. May our relationship with you be evident in our attitudes towards one another and may we be generous with each other. May the preachers and teachers in our life be well taken care of as we show our appreciation to them for their time spent studying the scriptures so that we might fully understand the life you have called us to. Fill us with a spirit of generosity and give us the gift of discernment as we reflect your love and live out our faith. Amen.

November is traditionally a time to consider all that we have to be grateful for. I pray the Lord prompts you to express your love and appreciation to your pastors, small group leaders, and ministry leaders during this upcoming season. May they feel your support and be encouraged by your intentional words of gratitude for the impact they are making in the congregation and in your life.

And let me be the one to say — THANK YOU! Thank you for the difference you are making in the lives of those around you. Thank you for the hours you spend serving the Lord by serving others. May the Lord bless you today and throughout this upcoming holiday season.

“May the Lord bless you
and protect you.
May the Lord smile on you
and be gracious to you.
May the Lord show you his favor
and give you his peace.” – Numbers 6:24-26