Today we are reading 3 John 1 in our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan. Next to Philippians 3, the Gospel of John and the Epistles of John are my favorite books. I love ALL of the Word of God, but these really minister to me! Look at 3 John 1:1-4:
1 The elderly elder [of the church addresses this letter] to the beloved (esteemed) Gaius, whom I truly love. 2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in every way and [that your body] may keep well, even as [I know] your soul keeps well and prospers. 3 In fact, I greatly rejoiced when [some of] the brethren from time to time arrived and spoke [so highly] of the sincerity and fidelity of your life, as indeed you do live in the Truth [the whole Gospel presents]. 4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my [spiritual] children are living their lives in the Truth.
We know from both the Gospel of John, and from his Epistles, that John focused on love more than any of the other apostles. Paul DOES tell us that love never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8), but John emphasizes it more often, and in more specific detail! John was the youngest of the apostles in Jesus' traveling ministry and he was the last to leave this earth. I believe that it was because of his love walk that they simply could not kill him! So, his wisdom is worth taking time with! We've looked at 3 John 2 many, many times in establishing that the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible WANTS us to prosper! The important realization that I believe we are to get from these verses today is summed up in verse 4! John said that he could have no greater joy, in his natural life on earth, than that his "congregation" would know and obey the Truth! What IS Truth? John 17:17:
17 Sanctify them [purify, consecrate, separate them for Yourself, make them holy] by the Truth; Your Word is Truth. AMP
John gave himself to the teaching of the Word of God so that HIS congregation (students, disciples) could learn and grow and have a working knowledge of the Word of God. What is a "working knowledge" of the Word? It's a knowledge of the Word of God that is so very real to you that you can't NOT obey the Word, and continue to do so! John wasn't looking to "make a name for himself", he simply desired, as any GOOD teacher would, that his pupils "get it". When they did, it brought him GREAT joy! Make sure that YOU are in the church congregation that GOD desires you to be in, where YOUR Pastor has the same heart that Jesus had, and that John had. I KNOW that my Pastor does! He LOVES when people are hungry for the Truth and come to a service with questions that they want to have God answer. Hungry people come to a service to hear, take notes and meditate on what they've heard throughout the week! If YOUR Pastor does not have this heart, then I would seek God for where HE wants you to go! Now, let's make it our determined purpose to BE the kind of congregation that brings great joy to not only our Pastors, but to Jesus Himself! AMEN! Here is Hillsong United with "Break Free":
Shalom in Him!
