2 John 1:12 Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete.
What is it that John is looking forward to? Fellowship. Receiving Hospitality - not for the sake of getting, but for experiencing God's people together in Faith and Love. To experience the joy of our salvation together in His presence. He is not simply "the boss" passing down directives. He is the loving patriarch of the church family wanting to see the family living in harmony and purpose, working together for the will of the Father. You cannot do that by text or email, or even skype or video calling. You can only do that fully face to face. We need to be together, be real, and develop that relationship with God as His children. Then we will have that joy.
Friday, July 31, 2015
Thursday, July 30, 2015
How NOT to show Hospitality...
3 John 1:9-10 I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church.
Having commended Gaius for showing hospitality to God's servants as they travelled, John points out a negative example - Diotrephes. First and foremost, he always put himself first - this attitude is diametrically opposed to hospitality. But other activities of Diotrephes took that even further. Gossip behind one's back cannot make one a sincere giver of hospitality. Ignoring others and their requests does not make one open to meet others' needs - a staple of good hospitality. He even went to the extreme of using his power and influence to oppose hospitality. Though Diotrephes is an extreme example of this, we must all examine ourselves for similar symptoms. Do I like to be first? Do I engage in gossip (aka "prayer concerns....")? Do I just ignore others who need hospitality? Do I have a heart and mind attitude that says: "We don't need anyone else!" ? It really is a package deal. If we are not "given to hospitality", what other spiritual issues are going on in our lives???
Having commended Gaius for showing hospitality to God's servants as they travelled, John points out a negative example - Diotrephes. First and foremost, he always put himself first - this attitude is diametrically opposed to hospitality. But other activities of Diotrephes took that even further. Gossip behind one's back cannot make one a sincere giver of hospitality. Ignoring others and their requests does not make one open to meet others' needs - a staple of good hospitality. He even went to the extreme of using his power and influence to oppose hospitality. Though Diotrephes is an extreme example of this, we must all examine ourselves for similar symptoms. Do I like to be first? Do I engage in gossip (aka "prayer concerns....")? Do I just ignore others who need hospitality? Do I have a heart and mind attitude that says: "We don't need anyone else!" ? It really is a package deal. If we are not "given to hospitality", what other spiritual issues are going on in our lives???
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
The Lost Love of Hospitality
3 John 1:5-8 Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.
John commends Gaius for something that may not seem like much of a big deal to many of us: the hospitality he had shown to traveling evangelists and teachers. But very quickly he shifts gears, changing to the future tense, encouraging Gaius to keep up this biblical practice. Why? Positively, it is important that these itinerant preachers had a safe place to stay in an age when few such places were available, and because of the possibility to get to know these men, and to be a part of their ministry. But negatively, as we will see, it appears that the art, the love of hospitality was becoming lost. Some not only failed to do it; they discouraged it. Where is this love, this art, in our society? We are missing out on so many blessings, getting to know and share with so many fellow believers and how they live out their faith. We rob ourselves, and the church of blessings God wants to send our way.
John commends Gaius for something that may not seem like much of a big deal to many of us: the hospitality he had shown to traveling evangelists and teachers. But very quickly he shifts gears, changing to the future tense, encouraging Gaius to keep up this biblical practice. Why? Positively, it is important that these itinerant preachers had a safe place to stay in an age when few such places were available, and because of the possibility to get to know these men, and to be a part of their ministry. But negatively, as we will see, it appears that the art, the love of hospitality was becoming lost. Some not only failed to do it; they discouraged it. Where is this love, this art, in our society? We are missing out on so many blessings, getting to know and share with so many fellow believers and how they live out their faith. We rob ourselves, and the church of blessings God wants to send our way.
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
No Greater Joy!
3 John 1:3-4 For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
There is no greater joy in life than to have a personal relationship with the True and Living God. This is a true statement for all. But there is another joy that meets and adds to that - knowing you have helped someone else come to the truth, and then hearing that person has responded to and is living by faith. John was excited to hear of Gaius' public testimony and obedience in practicing the truths John had taught him - generosity and hospitality toward the saints. What a way to demonstrate gratitude for new life in Christ! Gaius was living the joyful Christian life, which in turn added to the joy in John's life, as well as all those through whom his obedience was a blessing. That is great joy!
There is no greater joy in life than to have a personal relationship with the True and Living God. This is a true statement for all. But there is another joy that meets and adds to that - knowing you have helped someone else come to the truth, and then hearing that person has responded to and is living by faith. John was excited to hear of Gaius' public testimony and obedience in practicing the truths John had taught him - generosity and hospitality toward the saints. What a way to demonstrate gratitude for new life in Christ! Gaius was living the joyful Christian life, which in turn added to the joy in John's life, as well as all those through whom his obedience was a blessing. That is great joy!
Monday, July 27, 2015
The Whole Person
3 John 1:1-2 The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth. Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.
When God created Man, He prepared for him a place in the Garden. This was not only a place where they could meet and interact, but also where God provided the resources needed for his survival and comfort. God cared about every part of Man's existence. As John writes to his dear fellow believer, he expresses the same kind of care. First and foremost, he cares about his friend's spiritual condition and relationship with God, but it does not stop there. Gaius is much more that a notch on his ministry belt. John cares about his emotional, occupational, and physical well-being also. May we truly love and care for our fellow believers in every aspect of their lives.
When God created Man, He prepared for him a place in the Garden. This was not only a place where they could meet and interact, but also where God provided the resources needed for his survival and comfort. God cared about every part of Man's existence. As John writes to his dear fellow believer, he expresses the same kind of care. First and foremost, he cares about his friend's spiritual condition and relationship with God, but it does not stop there. Gaius is much more that a notch on his ministry belt. John cares about his emotional, occupational, and physical well-being also. May we truly love and care for our fellow believers in every aspect of their lives.
Sunday, July 26, 2015
Caring Enough to Connect
2 John 1:12-13 Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete. The children of your elect sister greet you.
When we are truly concerned by some things, only face to face contact will really do. There are all levels of appropriate dissemination of information and discussion of information that can take place by various means of communication - email, text, letter, phone call - even face time or skype, but there are some things that only transmit well face to face. These may be things which cause disagreement, or when we need to express love, sympathy or intensity in such a way that we are clearly heard. When we fail to do so, all sorts of fall-out can happen. One thing John could do in an appropriate way was express the love of one church to another, by having a common love for each. It would be impossible to take one whole church across the miles to another, but in Christ, as fellow followers, they would comprehend who they were in Him, together.
When we are truly concerned by some things, only face to face contact will really do. There are all levels of appropriate dissemination of information and discussion of information that can take place by various means of communication - email, text, letter, phone call - even face time or skype, but there are some things that only transmit well face to face. These may be things which cause disagreement, or when we need to express love, sympathy or intensity in such a way that we are clearly heard. When we fail to do so, all sorts of fall-out can happen. One thing John could do in an appropriate way was express the love of one church to another, by having a common love for each. It would be impossible to take one whole church across the miles to another, but in Christ, as fellow followers, they would comprehend who they were in Him, together.
Friday, July 24, 2015
Don't let them in!
2 John 1:10-11 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.
As a general rule, believers are to be "given to hospitality" (Romans 13). We are to have open hearts and open homes, especially to fellow believers. One exception to the rule is false teachers - not false believers, but false teachers. In particular, those who stop short in their convictions on who Christ is - Creator, Fully God and Man, Savior, and coming Judge. Such teachers are to be persona non grata - not welcome. In our day, very few people have others into their homes, physically. But we do by way of TV, internet, radio and print media. Beware letting these false teachers into your home, mind or heart. And do not support them financially, or by having any of your resources go to their support. You don't want a share in what they are doing.
As a general rule, believers are to be "given to hospitality" (Romans 13). We are to have open hearts and open homes, especially to fellow believers. One exception to the rule is false teachers - not false believers, but false teachers. In particular, those who stop short in their convictions on who Christ is - Creator, Fully God and Man, Savior, and coming Judge. Such teachers are to be persona non grata - not welcome. In our day, very few people have others into their homes, physically. But we do by way of TV, internet, radio and print media. Beware letting these false teachers into your home, mind or heart. And do not support them financially, or by having any of your resources go to their support. You don't want a share in what they are doing.
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