Pastor Chris’ Corona Quarantine Epistles to the Flock of AIC Ngong Road, in Dispersion and Isolation. 106th. Edition.
Dear Pilgrims and Sojourners,
Today we begin with our devotions in the Third Letter of John. This little missive is similar in many ways to 1 and 2 John. It appears that the circumstances that occasioned its writing are the same as for the other two. While
1 John seems to have been a circular letter to several churches and 2 John a specific address to a particular congregation, 3 John is to an individual. But this person is connected intricately with a church, as soon becomes evident. In today’s passage
(3 John 1-4) we see the centrality of truth.
Endearment (v. 1). A lot can be gleaned from the vocabulary that a person uses at a particular time. John writes to Gaius, for whom he declares love. Not unexpected, because believers ought to love one another, anyway. But then he adds, “In the truth.” While it may be the case that John is just stating that he “truly” loves Gaius, it is more likely that the word truth here is a reference to the gospel. This would mean that John loves Gaius within the love parameters of the gospel. But again, the use of the word truth, at all, points to the fact that the word is at the surface of John’s thoughts. This is no doubt because John would have been championing the truth against the lies of false teachers. The point is not lost on all this, that John did love Gaius.
Entreaty (v. 2). John expresses a prayer for the general well-being and prosperity of Gaius, but especially that his soul would prosper. It is important that as we prosper in other areas like physical health, material wealth, and social standing, we would prosper spiritually, also. To neglect our spiritual health is like neglecting the engine of a car while ensuring that the exterior looks spic and span.
Encouragement (vv. 3-4). John is pleased that Gaius is in the truth. This has come to John through the testimony of other Christians who visited him. John’s joy is full because he declares that he derives the greatest joy from the good news that his children – meaning spiritual children – walk in the truth, that they are not misled. This should tell us how important the true gospel is.
If we miss the truth, we miss the path of salvation, so, “Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God” (1 John 4:1).
Your Loving Pastor Chris.