SCRIPTURE: 3 John 1:1-14
OBSERVATION:
A personal letter because the church leader (Diotrephes) wouldn’t allow the letter to get to the members (v.9). Walking in the truth (not just believing it) equals demonstrating love (doing good, showing hospitality, offering help). By doing this we work together for the truth (ie Jesus). John speaks quite boldly when he says that those who practice evil (the opposite of practicing love) have not seen God, ie do not really know what God is like, or have accepted his love. Those who walk in the truth (live a life of love, just like Jesus) are spoken well of, well-respected, and the truth of what they say is evident by how they live.
APPLICATION:
We have stressed “believing” the truth, John (and the Bible) stresses walking in the truth, and the truth is love. To be loving (kind, patient, helpful, gracious, encouraging, self-denying, etc.) is the truth of God. If I am not striving to be like this, I have not seen (experienced, understood, believed) God. We have missed the point of following Jesus! I have! Actions speak louder than words! As a Christ-follower, I need to make every effort to live out the love of Jesus everywhere, to everyone!
PRAYER:
Lord, forgive me for getting distracted by secondary things, and not focusing on love, and on being loving. Help me not to just “believe” the truth, help me to live it, that the world may know that I am Your disciple! Amen.
I need to walk in the Light as He is the Light. In order to walk the talk, John describes three the themes of love, truth and joy. As a parent I no greater joy to see my children walking in the truth. As a church member, others need to see my love in action. John speaks here of how Giaus practised hospitality – sending missionaries on their way with support and encouragement. As they are proclaiming the good news, Giaus is also because he helped them from the ‘home’ base. Finally John tells us to speak the truth. Our actions tells where we stand. If we refuse to help God’s ambassadors, practise hospitality, gossiping about fellow workers/believers, then we are not living the truth. Lord help me always to be GodStrong.
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
And we’ll guard each one’s dignity and save each one’s pride
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love