Page 17 - 5-1-15 Friday's Edition

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A Welcoming Spirit
for you. It pleases God when people can identify and testify that you are living according to the truth of His word. God is a proud parent when message comes to Him that one of His children is living a life of right- eousness and faithfulness.
Verses 5, 6 - Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you. 6 They have told the church about your love. Please send them on their way in a manner that hon- ours God. Gaius’ ministry is spread among the church com- munity.
His reputation and work is reaching places he cannot. He does not limit his good work to just those that he knows or works with; he shows love and compassion to even strangers. The church must also show love, grace, and compassion to the stranger. Be kind even to those you do not know. Be po- lite and courteous. As Chris- tians your light should shine on all people in every place you go. When you see a new face in your church go to them and
make them feel welcome. Your hospitality may encourage someone or lift their spirit.
Verse 8 - We ought therefore to show hospi- tality to such people so that we may work together for the truth. During their time preachers or ministers traveled. They would often go into places where they did not know any- one and was viewed as a stranger. It is nothing more difficult or unsettling than doing ministry in a foreign place. But meeting people or making a friend can make a major difference.
Verses 9, 10 - I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us. 10 So when I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, spreading mali- cious nonsense about us. Not satisfied with that, he even refuses to welcome other believers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church. Just as there are some who do good, there are some who do evil. John speaks of one such a man. This man is all
about himself and wants him- self to look good.
He is not welcoming to the ministers and has gone so far as to speak evil about them. Un- fortunately these people exist in the church today. They are not welcoming and they are all about themselves. They try to stop others from doing what is good and right. John says he will arrive; he will call him out, and reveal his behavior. There are some people who need to be lovingly exposed and addressed about their behavior in the body of Christ.
Verse 11 - Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God. Do not follow the example of people who are not walking according to the will of God. Because they have a bad habit does not mean they are totally evil; just do not imitate the wrong you see them doing. You have to give an account of your own life and you will not be able to blame others for the wrong you do. Do what is good, right, and pleasing to God!
In this epistle (3 John) John writes to congratulate one of the elders for his work in the church. It is also in the letter that John draws attention to another member who is not acting according to the faith. The people of God must soon understand that the battle against the church is great and the members must be loving and supportive of one another.
Verse 2 - Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. John speaks these words to his friend whom he loves (vs. 1). These words in- form the believer that there is nothing wrong with prosper- ing. Prosperity must not be one-sided. As you prosper in all things you must also prosper
in your soul. As you increase in the word of God you will expe- rience growth in all other areas of your life. If you allow your soul to be weakened it will not be long before everything else follows.
Verses3&4-ForIre- joiced greatly when brethren came and testi- fied of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. One of the greatest compliments of life will come when others tes- tify truthfully that your walk is in line with the word of God. Gaius (Gay-us) did not have to talk about his spiritual walk, others did it for him. You do not broadcast you are saved or you have faith; others will do it
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