"Greetings in the Name of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ for 10 October 2012"
Today's Blog Title: "Service to the Brethren"
Today's Blog Scripture Reading: 3rd John 1-14
Today's Blog Key Verse: 3rd John: 11 "Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, he who does evil has not seen God."
John's third letter is written to an individual named Gaius. Like John's other epistles, this letter emphasizes love, truth, and obedience. It also indicates some of the tensions and difficulties which made life in the early church much like that of today. They too tired to build their own kingdom and rule over the church, rather than be part of the larger fellowship of faith. John's letter reminds us that the church truly is one and that we ought to "work together for the truth."
"Above all things" in verse 2, is better translated "in all respects." Gaius was clearly a dear friend of John. His physical health is as important to John as his spiritual health. John looks back to a time prior to writing this letter when he had heard of the steadfastness of Gaius and rejoiced as a result.
"Children" refers to those whom John has in some way helped lead to Christ. In 2nd John, mention is made of hospitality to traveling Christian workers. This was of crucial importance in the early Church (Romans 12:13; 1st Timothy 3;2; 5:10; Titus 1:8; Hebrews 13:2; and 1st Peter 4:9).
Some of those whom Gaius had helped along, had evidently brought word back to John of the exemplary labors of Gaius. To "bring forward" would entail the full range of financial, travel, and other assistant necessary to host and then send along a visiting Christians leader, whose only support was the generosity of other believers. Literally "for the name they went out," that is, the Name of Jesus. They took nothing from the Gentiles, lest they appear to be hawking the gospel for personal gain.
To help missionaries and similar workers to continue in their calling, is to share in their work. We as Christians, are obligated to bear their share of the burden of such work. The Church in verse 9, is probably the fellowship of which Gaius was a member. What the elder has written up to this point, seems to serve as a prologue for his major concern, which he takes up now.
To "prate" is to indulge in idle or trivial chatter. John here characterizes the talking of Diotrephes', as meaningless gossip. Diotrephes, opposes John's teachings on either the nature of Christ, or the need for Christians to demonstrate love at all times. He also opposed the exercise of hospitality such as earned high praise for Gaius from the elder.
In verse 11, we see John saying that faith which not result in works is no faith at all. Salvation is not by works, but it does produce them (Galatians 2:8-10). Demetrius probably delivered the letter to Gaius. He was known to the elder, and perhaps he was one of the brethren who Diotrephes had cast out in verse 10. The elders warm remarks would reassure Gaius, that he could take Demetrius in and show him the favor he usually accorded visitors who were serving the truth.
John closes this 3rd letter as he did in 2nd John, expressing his desire to see Gaius soon and talk about these issues at greater length. "Separation is from sin," not from Christians brothers and sisters.
This writing concludes the 3 letters of John. Beginning in the next writing, we will go into the Minor Prophets beginning with the book of Hosea.
Click on this link at www.cindi-davis.blogspot.com for a Bible Verse from John 10:217-30.
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day. Go in Peace and Serve the Lord our God with Gladness. Love God More Today. Always remember that when you have a spiritual, emotional, physical or financial dilemma in your life, and you tell out, "I CAN'T," GOD Whispers to you, "BUT I CAN."
JESUS REIGNS!!! May God's Love, Peace, Strength, and Grace be with you all.
Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi
Today's Blog Title: "Service to the Brethren"
Today's Blog Scripture Reading: 3rd John 1-14
Today's Blog Key Verse: 3rd John: 11 "Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, he who does evil has not seen God."
John's third letter is written to an individual named Gaius. Like John's other epistles, this letter emphasizes love, truth, and obedience. It also indicates some of the tensions and difficulties which made life in the early church much like that of today. They too tired to build their own kingdom and rule over the church, rather than be part of the larger fellowship of faith. John's letter reminds us that the church truly is one and that we ought to "work together for the truth."
"Above all things" in verse 2, is better translated "in all respects." Gaius was clearly a dear friend of John. His physical health is as important to John as his spiritual health. John looks back to a time prior to writing this letter when he had heard of the steadfastness of Gaius and rejoiced as a result.
"Children" refers to those whom John has in some way helped lead to Christ. In 2nd John, mention is made of hospitality to traveling Christian workers. This was of crucial importance in the early Church (Romans 12:13; 1st Timothy 3;2; 5:10; Titus 1:8; Hebrews 13:2; and 1st Peter 4:9).
Some of those whom Gaius had helped along, had evidently brought word back to John of the exemplary labors of Gaius. To "bring forward" would entail the full range of financial, travel, and other assistant necessary to host and then send along a visiting Christians leader, whose only support was the generosity of other believers. Literally "for the name they went out," that is, the Name of Jesus. They took nothing from the Gentiles, lest they appear to be hawking the gospel for personal gain.
To help missionaries and similar workers to continue in their calling, is to share in their work. We as Christians, are obligated to bear their share of the burden of such work. The Church in verse 9, is probably the fellowship of which Gaius was a member. What the elder has written up to this point, seems to serve as a prologue for his major concern, which he takes up now.
To "prate" is to indulge in idle or trivial chatter. John here characterizes the talking of Diotrephes', as meaningless gossip. Diotrephes, opposes John's teachings on either the nature of Christ, or the need for Christians to demonstrate love at all times. He also opposed the exercise of hospitality such as earned high praise for Gaius from the elder.
In verse 11, we see John saying that faith which not result in works is no faith at all. Salvation is not by works, but it does produce them (Galatians 2:8-10). Demetrius probably delivered the letter to Gaius. He was known to the elder, and perhaps he was one of the brethren who Diotrephes had cast out in verse 10. The elders warm remarks would reassure Gaius, that he could take Demetrius in and show him the favor he usually accorded visitors who were serving the truth.
John closes this 3rd letter as he did in 2nd John, expressing his desire to see Gaius soon and talk about these issues at greater length. "Separation is from sin," not from Christians brothers and sisters.
This writing concludes the 3 letters of John. Beginning in the next writing, we will go into the Minor Prophets beginning with the book of Hosea.
Click on this link at www.cindi-davis.blogspot.com for a Bible Verse from John 10:217-30.
Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day. Go in Peace and Serve the Lord our God with Gladness. Love God More Today. Always remember that when you have a spiritual, emotional, physical or financial dilemma in your life, and you tell out, "I CAN'T," GOD Whispers to you, "BUT I CAN."
JESUS REIGNS!!! May God's Love, Peace, Strength, and Grace be with you all.
Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi
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