3 John

Bible Passage:  3 John

Both biblereadingcompanion and biblereader have given good sharing posts on this chapter/book in the past two years. This is the shortest book in the entire Bible. It only has a few main characters being mentioned (i.e. Gaius, Diotrephes and Demetrius).

In other words, it’s kinda hard for me to share something and not repeat what had been posted before. But well, I’m not gonna try to do that, lest I stray away or something.

So let’s just call this like a “revision” posting…

Gaius & Demetrius = Good, Diotrephes = Bad… Which one are we?

Gaius and Demetrius were good examples, while Diotrephes was a bad one. I think we’re all familiar with these two points. And, like in the previous postings, here’s my summary of their main traits:

Gaius:
–  Walked in the truth (v. 3)
–  Had a good testimony from the brethren (v.3)
–  Showed remarkable hospitality and generosity to brethren and strangers alike (v.5-7)
–  Did not strive for fame or praises from others

Demetrius:
–  Had a good testimony from the brethren, and from the truth itself (v. 12)

Diotrephes:
–  Desired the preeminence among others (v. 9)
–  Did not show hospitality or generosity others, even stopping others from doing so (v. 9-10)
–  Used malicious words against others, criticising them (v. 10)
–  Had a bad testimony from the brethren

And now the question would come about… Are we like Gaius and Demetrius, or are we like Diotrephes?

When we come by a brethren from another country who had come to visit Singapore, or a new truthseeker here in the church for the first time, do we extend our hand for a handshake or acknowledge their presence, or do we act like they weren’t there or we didn’t see them (or use some other excuse)?

When we do things, do we do them out of a pure and truthful heart, or do we have some ulterior motive to have… preeminence?

Do we often use words of encouragement and warmth towards others, or do we use spiteful and hurtful words to criticise others in whatever they do?

How do others see us based on what we’ve done? Do they see us as a Gaius/Demetrius or a Diotrephes?

More importantly, how does God see us?

Walking in Truth

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth…

– 3 John 4

Walking in truth is keeping the Word of God in our hearts and minds, and applying it into our daily lives. Knowing the truth is one thing, but doing it is another. As the saying goes, “We can talk the talk, but can we walk the walk?”.

As we walk in truth, let us continue to strive for spiritual nurture and improve ourselves everyday , keeping and obeying His commandments and at the same time, sharing this wonderful gospel to those who have yet to receive it.

Imitate what is good…

Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God…

– 3 John 11

Elder John also instructs in his letter to Gaius to imitate what is good, and not what is bad. For us today, we also have to imitate what is good. And what is the best guideline as something good to imitate? As Paul had put it in 1 Corinthians 11: 1, we should imitate Christ. Even though we know that we’re always falling short of His standards, we should all the more strive to imitate Him.

Do not imitate the ways of the world or the ways of Diotrephes-like characteristics, lest the truth is not in us and we will not be of God…

And on a closing note, I think what Elder John said here is a pretty good “suggestion”…

…Peace to you. Our friends greet you. Greet the friends by name…

–  3 John 14

May we strive to walk in truth and to show love and care for others…

Bonus: If you feel like reading the past two posts, here are the links:

http://www.closerdaybyday.info/2009/12/epistle-3-john/ (2009)

http://www.closerdaybyday.info/2010/12/3-john/ (2010)