As we have been studying the book of Third John which was written by John the apostle, we have been watching John commend his well-beloved friend Gaius. John received word from others that Gaius has been hospitable to traveling teachers of the gospel, and by doing so, Gaius has a great reputation for walking in the truth. Gaius has been faithful to not only entertain those considered brethren, but also has shared with strangers without charging anyone who does not know Jesus as their savior for his care. Today John the apostle tells Gaius even more plainly how much he affects the truth when he cares for these prophets in Third John verse eight. He wrote:
We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.
John joins himself with Gaius in his direction to receive others. He employs the term “we” rather than “you”. Often those who give charges to others think it is a great idea for someone else to get involved without their own personal involvement. In other words their idea is, “Let someone else do the hard work, and I will sit here on the side.” This was not the case with John. John learned early from Jesus as recorded in the gospel of Matthew in chapter twenty-three and verses one thru four:
Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, [that] observe and do; but do not after their works: for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay [them] on men's shoulders; but they [themselves] will not move them with one of their fingers.
In other words John learned that if he lay burdens upon people, he should be equally as anxious to remove those burdens as he was to put them on them. John joins Gaius in the charge, “we ought to receive such”, and perhaps today we ought to join them as well.
But why? Why should we receive these itinerant preachers? “That we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.” When we help those who are spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world, we are helping to spread the truth. “Senders” are just as important as those who go. Not everyone is able to travel to foreign lands. Not everyone can climb mountains, or fly on planes, or walk great distances, but every Christian can help spread the gospel. Sometimes this may be in the form of a letter or email. Sometimes it may be sending a missionary cookies or treats from home. Other times there may be a way to give money to support them, and most everyone can pray for those who give their lives to tell about Jesus Christ. When we do these things, we are fellowhelpers to the truth, and as Gaius was commended of John because of his efforts, we too shall be commended of Jesus Christ one day when we stand before Him to give an account for everything we have done in our bodies.
May we all be fellowhelpers to the truth today.
Next time we shall look at what John has to say about a person who rejected him, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow...there is more...
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