Category: 3 John

(KJV) 3 John 1:11

Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.

As followers of Christ, we must be careful not to get caught up in behaviors, activities and pastimes that are common in the world but that do not reflect God’s character or promote His purposes (Deuteronomy 18:9). Many such things may even contradict His standards of truth and moral purity (Ephesians 5:1-7). We are not to conform to the pattern of this corrupt world (Romans 12:2). Instead, we must pattern our lives after the example of Christ and of others who have faithfully followed Him (1 Corinthians 4:16; 1 Thessalonians 2:14; Hebrews 13:7). We must be “imitators of God” (Ephesians 5:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:6), whose behavior and character are openly and positively distinct from those who do not follow Christ. Only then will people who are truly looking for hope and answers in life be able to see Christ in us and notice a difference worth considering in their own lives.

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1. LOVES TO BE FIRST / 3 JOHN 1:9
2. FOR THE SAKE OF THE NAME – REVEIVING NO HELP FROM THE PAGANS / 3 JOHN 1:7
3. IN A MANNER WORTHY OF GOD / 3 JOHN 1:6
4. YOU ARE FAITHFUL / 3 JOHN 1:5
5. ALL MAY GO WELL / 3 JOHN 1:1-2
6. GUIDED BY GRACE ABOUT

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my blog post! May the words inspire and uplift all who read them. Your support and interest mean the world to me, and I’m grateful for every moment you spend here. Stay tuned for more, and feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!” Blessings, Margarita & Stace

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(KJV) 3 John 1:9

I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us.

This phrase is one word in the original Greek (philoproteuon), used here as an adjective to describe Diotrephes. His desire to show himself superior, in the place of highest honor, and in control caused him to reject John’s authority and assistance. This form of selfish pride easily leads to sin (deception, presumption and malicious talk) that finds satisfaction in putting others down and lifting up oneself. Those who are full of pride and put their own needs, interests and honor ahead of others are not following Christ’s example of humility (Philippians 2:3-5), nor are they growing in servant leadership (Luke 22:27). Such people, even if they think they are serving God, are not fulfilling their part in spreading Christ’s message and promoting His purposes.

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1. FOR THE SAKE OF THE NAME – REVEIVING NO HELP FROM THE PAGANS / 3 JOHN 1:7
2. IN A MANNER WORTHY OF GOD / 3 JOHN 1:6
3. YOU ARE FAITHFUL / 3 JOHN 1:5
4. ALL MAY GO WELL / 3 JOHN 1:1-2
5. GUIDED BY GRACE ABOUT

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my blog post! May the words inspire and uplift all who read them. Your support and interest mean the world to me, and I’m grateful for every moment you spend here. Stay tuned for more, and feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!” Blessings, Margarita & Stace

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(KJV) 3 John 1:7

 It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans.

Referring to Jesus Christ by “the Name” represents all that He is – His nature, attributes, character, accomplishments, etc. It also represents His full authority and power to fulfill His purposes and bring spiritual salvation to all who will receive Him by faith and willingly identify with His Name (Acts 4:12; John 14:13).

Missionaries who leave their homes and go to other places to deliver the messages of forgiveness and eternal life through faith in Christ generally receive no financial or material help from the world. Their only source of support is from dedicated Christians like Gaius and from faithful churches who are doing their part to take Christ’s message to all the world (Matthew 28:19). This is fully appropriate, since missionaries should not have to depend on material support from those they are trying to reach for Christ. To do so could easily hinder the message and expose the missionary to accusation of preaching for financial gain (1 Corinthians 9:12). As we contribute to the task of taking Christ’s message to all people of all nations, we must remember the words of the Lord Jesus Himself, “anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward” (Matthew 10:41).

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1. IN A MANNER WORTHY OF GOD / 3 JOHN 1:6
2. YOU ARE FAITHFUL / 3 JOHN 1:5
3. ALL MAY GO WELL / 3 JOHN 1:1-2
4. GUIDED BY GRACE ABOUT

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my blog post! May the words inspire and uplift all who read them. Your support and interest mean the world to me, and I’m grateful for every moment you spend here. Stay tuned for more, and feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!” Blessings, Margarita & Stace

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(KJV) 3 John 1:6

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:

3 John 1: 5-8 refers to traveling messengers of the gospel of Christ – the “good news” (Mark 14:9). It is a duty and privilege of God’s people to contribute to missionary needs and work – efforts that take Christ’s message to people and cultures that still need to hear and receive His good news of forgiveness and eternal life. 

1. Receiving, sending and supporting Christian ministries and missionaries must be done “in a manner worthy of God” (3 John 1:6; 1 Corinthians 9:14; Philippians 4:10-18). (a) This means that we must treat faithful messengers of God’s Word as we would treat the Lord Himself (Matthew 10:40) because they are His servants carrying His message to all the world (Matthew 28:19-20). (b) It also means that the help, provision and giving should be done with excellence and to the best of our ability (2 Corinthians 8:2-3, 11-12; 9:6-8) – even to the point of personal sacrifice – reflecting the gracious gift and sacrifice Christ made for us. 
2. The sending of missionaries in the early church consisted of providing for their journey and supplying them with food and with money to pay expenses and live adequately (Galatians 6:6-10; Philippians 4:16; Titus 3:13). By supporting missionaries, God’s people worked together in spreading the truth (3 John 1:8).

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1. YOU ARE FAITHFUL / 3 JOHN 1:5
2. ALL MAY GO WELL / 3 JOHN 1:1-2
3. GUIDED BY GRACE ABOUT

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my blog post! May the words inspire and uplift all who read them. Your support and interest mean the world to me, and I’m grateful for every moment you spend here. Stay tuned for more, and feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!” Blessings, Margarita & Stace

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(KJV) 3 John 1:5

Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;

John praises Gaius for one particular aspect of his “walking in the truth” (3 John 1:3-4); that is, he has been faithful in helping traveling evangelists and missionaries (those called by God to take Christ’s message to specific lands, cultures and people groups who have yet to hear about Jesus; 3 John 1:5-8). He has supplied them with lodging, food, money and whatever other help they needed for their ministry and journey (Titus 3:13). His commitment to fulfilling Christ’s missionary command (Mark 16:15) by helping those who were spreading Christ’s message throughout the world (Matthew 28:19) was so impressive that missionaries had specifically mentioned it to John (3 John 1:6). Gaius’ action toward these faithful messengers of God came from his love for them, his love for the message of Christ and his love for those who had not yet heard and received the message. We, too, can show this kind of love and devotion by faithfully supporting those who take Christ’s message into other cultures.

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1. ALL MAY GO WELL / 3 JOHN 1:1-2
2. GUIDED BY GRACE ABOUT

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my blog post! May the words inspire and uplift all who read them. Your support and interest mean the world to me, and I’m grateful for every moment you spend here. Stay tuned for more, and feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!” Blessings, Margarita & Stace

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(KJV) 3 John 1:1-2

The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth. ² Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

It is God’s provision and plan that His people be healthy and that their lives reflect His care and goodness and be accompanied by His blessings. God wants all to go well with us, meaning that He desires for our lives, families, work, plans and service for Him to go according to His purposes and direction. For this reason, God’s blessings and provisions – made available through the life and personal sacrifice of His Son, Jesus – are provided to meet both physical and spiritual needs. 

Concerning God’s plans to bless and prosper us both physically and spiritually, Scripture teaches the following:

1. The word here translated “all may go well” (Greek euodoo) literally means “to have a good journey, to be led along a good road.” According to that meaning, John’s prayer was that as we walk the road of relationship with Christ (1 John 1:7; 1 John 2:6; 2 John 1:6), we may continue to follow His truth (3 John 1:3-4) and to experience the “full life” (John 10:10) – the overall purpose, blessing and fulfillment – that He desires for us. 
2. God desires that we earn enough to provide the necessities of shelter, food and clothing for ourselves and our families and that we have enough to help others as needed and to contribute to Christ’s cause (Philippians 4:15-19). According to His purposes, God will provide the means for us to do so. But whatever our means or circumstances, God is able to give us enough for our needs (2 Corinthians 9:8-12), and He promises to supply our needs ‘according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).
3. Although we should trust God to supply all of our material needs, we must recognize the Bible’s teaching that He may allow us to experience times of need. (a) We may sometimes experience need with the purpose of challenging and encouraging us to trust God more. Such times can build, develop and strengthen our faith and spiritual endurance. They also help us to effectively relate and minister to others who are in need, particularly those with whom we have shared common experiences (Romans 8:35-39; 2 Corinthians 4:7-12; 6:4-10; 12:7-10; 1 Peter 1:6-7). (b) We may, at times, endure difficulty and distress when our faith and service to Christ bring opposition and persecution from the world (Luke 6:20-23; Hebrews 10:32-34; 1 Peter 2:19-21; Revelation 2:9; Revelation 2:10). (c)We may experience lack or even poverty due to national disasters or natural circumstances, such as war, famine, drought or poor economic or social conditions (Acts 11:28-30; 2 Corinthians 8:2, 12-14).
4. God’s presence, help and blessing in our physical lives are related to the health and prosperity of our spiritual lives. This does not mean that everyone who experiences exceptional health is spiritually healthy or that those who experience ill health are necessarily lacking spiritually. It simply means that as we are faithful to Christ, He will bless us in all ways and provide everything He desires for us so that our lives honor Him and fulfill His purposes. For this reason, we must seek God’s desires (Psalms 37:4), pursue His plans and purposes (Matthew 6:10; Matthew 26:39; Hebrews 10:7-9) and obey the Holy spirit (Romans 8:14). We must also remain separated from the corruption of the world (Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 6:16-18, love God’s Word (James 1:21; 1 Peter 2:2), ask for His help in prayer (Matthew 6:9-13; Hebrews 4:16), work hard (2 Thessalonians 3:6-12), trust Him to supply our needs (Matthew 6:25-34; 1 Peter 5:7) and give priority to His kingdom and standards above all else (Matthew 6:33; Matthew 6:11; Luke 11:3; Colossians 4:12).
5. Although our souls may be getting along well in a spiritual sense, this does not remove all difficulties from other areas of our lives. When adversity, troubles and needs come our way, we must rely on God and commit our needs and situations to Him in prayer.

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• www.biblestudytools.com
• Map Pencils
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• Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

1. GUIDED BY GRACE ABOUT

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my blog post! May the words inspire and uplift all who read them. Your support and interest mean the world to me, and I’m grateful for every moment you spend here. Stay tuned for more, and feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!” Blessings, Margarita & Stace

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