Lately we have been learning from John the apostle what it means to walk in the truth. We learned from John in his book named First John just how much God desires a relationship with us. In Second John we learned how we are to be aware of those who would dissuade us from the truth, and in Third John we are looking at a person named Gaius whom John loves and makes John rejoice over the testimony he heard about him. Today we begin to find out why as John wrote to Gaius in Third John verse five:
Beloved, you do faithfully whatsoever you do to the brethren, and to strangers;
Once again the apostle of love, John, employs the word “beloved” to address his friend. We do not use that term as much today, but for John the love that flowed through him from Jesus became a natural part of who he was.
Next John commends Gaius for his faithful work. Itinerant prophets were traveling from village to village sharing the truth of the gospel. Although there were some of these traveling prophets who were false, there were legitimate ones as well. Gaius was well established in the truth and could discern between those who were authentic and those who were not. Gaius was hospitable to these legitimate prophets and would provide for their basic needs while they came to his area. Housing, food, etc. are proper needs for existence, and John commends Gaius for “whatsoever” he did.
Notice too that Gaius is commended for his service to both “brethren, and to strangers”. There is a willingness within most of us to provide for someone we know, but what about someone we don't know? Are we as thrilled? Would we be willing to share our goods with someone that we consider a stranger? John says that Gaius does these things “faithfully”.
Where God guides, God provides. Whenever God is sending someone on a special mission, venture,
or quest for His kingdom, provision is made for them. Although it is not always made in advance, it will be fulfilled. When Jesus sent out His disciples the first time He said as recorded in the gospel of Luke chapter ten and verses four through seven:
Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way. And into whatsoever house you enter, first say, Peace [be] to this house. And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again. And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.
Jesus taught His disciples that provision will be there for them as they go about His business. Gaius was part of this fulfillment, and his faithful doing became a means by which God provided for those who spread the gospel. We too can “faithfully do” when we help those who spread the gospel throughout the world today. By providing for them we become a part of not only their ministry but also fulfilling the very provision of God.
Next time we will look more into what John has heard about Gaius and his giving, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow...there is more...
Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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