Lessons From John

Dear Friends

Recently, while in Australia attending and speaking at three camp meetings, there was time between each of these events. While driving on the long roads, Angela was reading the chapters of second and third John. Because concentration was somewhat lacking with driving, she read them a number of times to allow the meaning to penetrate into our minds.

As she went over them, it was 3 John that took my notice, and how it relates to the practical lives of so many of us in our day, and so I wanted to flesh this small chapter out to bring it home to each of us the practical ministry of each of us.

Verse 1

First of all, John greets his readers with a very endearing welcome. “The elder unto the well-beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.” This was not the first such introduction for John. In 2 John, he starts off with, “The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth.” —2 John:1

All through 1 John, he refers to his readers as 'little children'. He starts off in verse 1 explaining Jesus and humanity's relationship to Him, then in chapter 2, he starts off with, “My little children.” All through the five chapters, he again refers to his readers as 'little children,' concluding at the end of the book, “Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.” —I John 5:21

All three of those small letters of first, second and third John, he is wooing this readers to accept Jesus into their lives and to the love of God. In his earlier years, John was a 'son of thunder' —Mark 3:17, but as he merged his life in the life of Jesus, he became more like his Master and those three epistles surely do reflect such a change.

Verse 2

“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” As John writes to Gaius and expresses his love to him, he goes on to wish him to do well in his dealings and practices in life, but also to be in good health. For us today, that would mean to do well in your home life, as also in your business life, career and ministry. To be in health for us in our day, would be to encourage those we are greeting, to research the counsel on all eight laws of our health message. This will enhance our opportunities to keep our health and being vibrant and dynamic.

And that is love, true genuine love, to wish the receiver of your correspondence all the very best for their future days. It conveys warmth and acceptance. Every one of us appreciates a kind word, especially when we are down and struggling through issues – and there are plenty of them in our day and age.

The Spirit of Prophecy has plenty of counsel on this verse. “The right use of one's self is the most valuable lesson that can be learned. We are not to do brain work, and stop there, or make physical exertion, and stop there; we are to make the best use of the various parts that compose the human machinery—brain, bone, muscle, head, and heart.

“The right use of one's self includes the whole circle of obligations to one's self, to the world, and to God. Then use the physical powers proportionately with the mental powers. Every action derives its quality from the motive which prompts it, if the motives are not high, pure, and unselfish, the mind and character will never become well balanced....

“If young men and women would grow up to the full stature of Christ Jesus, they must treat themselves intelligently.... Unhealthful habits of every order—late hours at night, late hours in bed in the morning, rapid eating—are to be overcome. Masticate your food thoroughly. Let there be no hurried eating. Have your room well ventilated day and night, and perform useful physical labor.... By properly using our powers to their fullest extent in the most useful employment, by keeping every organ in health, by so preserving every organ that mind, sinew, and muscle shall work harmoniously, we may do the most precious service for God.” —Sons and Daughters of God, p.171

Verse 3,4

“For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”

Here John has heard the report of other mission workers in the cause of Christ, coming to him to share the work of Gaius. Let it be known that whatever course in life we pursue, there will be follow up consequences. What I mean by that is, the choices we make will always bring results. If we choose to follow cunningly devised fables, even if in secret, they will almost always be revealed in some way at a later date. “…be sure your sin will find you out.” —Numbers 32:23  

But on the other hand, when one chooses the way of righteousness, to do all in our power to read and listen to the counsel, it will be revealed. The good of that one who has chosen to do right, will eventually come out in the public arena – and this was the case with Gaius. And to hear the report of this faithful brother brought much gladness to John, and may it be that the same could be said about each one of us in our journey in life.

Verse 5,6

“Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers; Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:”

Quite an encouraging statement from John. He doesn't attack any weakness or inadequacy of humanity, but really lifts Gaius up and his hospitality is commended. Gaius has been faithful to his calling in association with his brethren, and others see his example and witness. Then John reassures him that his work is recognised and will continue. He tells him he will do well.

“Rejoicing is the very keynote of the Word of God for all who receive Him. Why? Because they have the Light of life. Light brings gladness and joy, and that joy is expressed in the life and the character.” —Sons and Daughters of God, p.200

Verse 7,8

“Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellow-helpers to the truth.”  

The workers for the new fledgling church went out on their mission to present Christ to the world and didn't rely or take anything from the Gentiles. There was a required pattern to take the gospel out to the world. “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” —Acts 1:8  

So the work was to start in Jerusalem, to reach the leaders and those close to the temple, then it was to spread out to Judaea, to those closest to the centre of worship, then it was to spread further to Samaria where a lot of the remnants of the then tribes were, then on out to the far ends of the earth – to where the Gentiles inhabited. 

John commended the workers for not taking from the Gentiles, because it could soon be determined that these Jews were only after their money and not able to look after themselves. But John also puts it out to the brethren that they had a responsibility to receive these workers and help them with their support to carry the mission on, that the message of present truth for that time go out to the 'uttermost parts of the earth.’

A lesson can be taken for us today. We have the responsibility to support and help those who have dedicated themselves to the spread of present truth for our day, to the world. And we surely are well past the Jerusalem, Judaea and Samaria stage. We have a huge work to reach the ‘uttermost parts of the earth.’

In saying that, we do have a responsibility to reach those in Jerusalem – those in our local church who need help, both physically and spiritually, then those in Judaea – the church on a wider scale. There are those in Samaria – backslidden souls who need to return to their first love, and yes, definitely to the world. 

Verse 9,10

“I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the pre-eminence among them, receiveth us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.”

There is a problem in the church though. John has written to counsel and encourage the church, perhaps even drawing them closer together, but there was one who wanted to sow discord among them.

Diotrephes was one who wanted to control and be the leader in his own right, speaking out against John and the new church fellowship. The word prating means to talk much on topics that are of little relevance, but John adds that he was speaking with malicious words. This centres his attack as being to cut down the counsel of John, obviously not to build up the church, but to break it down. 

This man would not accept to work as a team, as he would not receive the brethren and stopping those who wanted to work as a team together, even to throwing them out that wanted to work together.

The same is today. There are those who are set on taking over what is going so well, displaying a strong controlling spirit and causing division in the running of the church or group. It can be so hard when this spirit comes in and people are being barred from the fellowship, or split away, when it has been going too well. A malicious tongue can cause so much damage. 

“The mind that finds pleasure in foolish thoughts and trifling conversation is as destitute of the joy of Christ, as were the hills of Gilboa of dew or rain.” —That I May Know Him, p.142

Verse 11

“Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.”

John counsels not to even go there. Don't follow any evil, of which he must be meaning in the verses above. Don't be strong headed, using idle and venomous words to cut people down and the work of those doing a good work. Simply those who do this need a conversion experience, they haven't even found God. Only those who have a heart for God and others have experienced conversion. It will be a good end for them. 

It will be a good end for those who do choose the God of their salvation. 

“Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil.”  —Isaiah 1:16

“For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.” — I Peter 3:10-12

“Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore…” — Psalm 37:27    

Where he writes in this verse, “He that doeth good is of God.” John further qualifies his own counsel in this first epistle, “If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.” —I John 2:29

So while giving the warning to avoid the spirit of unrest, he adds to find Christ and do well for yourself and others in the very next verse.

Verse 12

He is quick to continue in his uplifting manner. He singles out one man who has done exceptionally well in the work of ministry. 

“Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.”

There is a Demetrius in the book of Acts that was a silversmith, making idols of Diana and making good money out of it. In the research I did, I couldn't find a link to this Demetrius at all. One would like to think the Demetrius of Acts was the same one here in 3 John and had had a full conversion, but I haven't been able to find that connection. But this Demetrius in this little letter of John is certainly a good man full of truth, and John is very willing to accept the good report, and not only accept it, but publish it as well, even for us today. 

Verse 13,14

“I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee: But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.”

This letter is very short, but obviously John couldn't wait to lift up and write a good report on Gaius and Demetrius, but also to warn against Diotrephes and his objectionable behaviour. He will wait until he is able to be with his readers in a short time. Obviously John wished to be with his fellow workers in person, as he also included in his short second letter, “Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.” — 2 John 12

In closing, the following quote gives sound counsel and warnings. If followed, it will enhance your spiritual life and draw you to a closer walk to heaven. If not followed, the spiritual life will die. As John wrote in verse 11, “Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good.”

Human Weaknesses

“After the descent of the Holy Spirit the disciples went forth to proclaim a risen Saviour, their one desire, the salvation of souls. They rejoiced in the sweetness of the communion with saints. They were tender, thoughtful, self-denying, willing to make any sacrifice for the truth's sake. In their daily association with one another they revealed the love that Christ had commanded them to reveal. By unselfish words and deeds they strove to kindle this love in other hearts. 

“The believers were ever to cherish the love that filled the hearts of the apostles after the descent of the Holy Spirit. They were to go forward in willing obedience to the new commandment: 'As I have loved you, that ye also love one another.' — John 13:34. So closely were they to be united to Christ that they would be enabled to fulfill His requirements. The power of a Saviour who could justify them by His righteousness was to be magnified.

“But the early Christians began to look for defects in one another. Dwelling upon mistakes, giving place to unkind criticism, they lost sight of the Saviour and of the great love He had revealed for sinners. They became more strict in regard to outward ceremonies, more particular about the theory of the faith, more severe in their criticisms. In their zeal to condemn others they forgot their own errors. They forgot the lesson of brotherly love that Christ had taught. And, saddest of all, they were unconscious of their loss. They did not realize that happiness and joy were going out of their lives, and that soon they would walk in darkness, having shut the love of God out of their hearts.

“The apostle John realized that brotherly love was waning in the church, and he dwelt particularly upon this point. Up to the day of his death he urged upon believers the constant exercise of love for one another. His letters to the churches are filled with this thought. 'Beloved, let us love one another,' he writes; 'for love is of God.... God sent His only-begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.... Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.' — 1 John 4:7-11. 

“In the church of God today brotherly love is greatly lacking. Many of those who profess to love the Saviour neglect to love those who are united with them in Christian fellowship. We are of the same faith, members of one family, all children of the same heavenly Father, with the same blessed hope of immortality. How close and tender should be the tie that binds us together. The people of the world are watching us to see if our faith is exerting a sanctifying influence upon our hearts. They are quick to discern every defect in our lives, every inconsistency in our actions. Let us give them no occasion to reproach our faith.

“It is not the opposition of the world that endangers us the most; it is the evil cherished in the hearts of professed believers that works our most grievous disaster and most retards the progress of God's cause.” — Testimonies for the Church, vol.8, p.241,242

This editorial is the result of going over this small letter a number of times, and the more one goes over the words of the Bible, the more they come to life. There could be much more I could write, but I would encourage you, each one, to read the words for yourselves, and get even more out of what we did in our travels. 

There is a lot of counsel shared here. Above all, as this year comes to its close, review the past twelve months, realise the errors and endeavour to rectify them and start fresh in the coming year, to uplift and encourage each other as you meet and converse with them. Lift others up, don't cut them down. 

“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” — 3 John 2 

As with John to his readers, we here at Autumn Leaves also wish you a safe, prosperous and vibrant spiritual new year ahead.