3 John 1:1-4 - Developing a Prosperous Soul

Today, Tuesday October 12 Developing a Prosperous Soul 3 John 1:1-4 “The Elder, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth: Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” John wrote this letter specifically to Gaius. John was encouraging Gaius by telling him that he prayed for him “to prosper in all things, and be in health, just as his soul was prospering”. We can assume that Gaius was experiencing some health issues. Can you imagine getting a personal handwritten letter from the great Apostle John? How encouraging and exciting that would be! No doubt Gaius must have carefully preserved this letter and shared it with others and that’s why today we have it as part of the Holy Bible! We want to answer the question on why and how did Gaius live a prosperous life and have a “soul that prospers”. I believe there are several reasons for this. First, Gaius had a heart to seek the Lord on daily basis. He must have remembered the Old Testament verse, “And you shall seek me and find me when you have sought for me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13) The way we seek the Lord never changes. We seek Him by reading His Word daily. We seek Him by spending time with Him in prayer. We seek Him by being obedient. We seek Him by putting Him first in every area of our lives (Matthew 6:33). In James 1:21 we read, “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”  James is writing to believers who are already saved as far as salvation is concerned. But from this verse we learn how to have a “saved soul”.  A “saved soul” is a soul that is continually being restored to spiritual health daily. This is only possible if we engraft the Word of God into our hearts and lives. This means we memorized and meditate on a passage of Scripture until it becomes a part of us.  To do this, we must laid aside our sins by confession and repentance before we can engraft the Word into us. In Psalm 1:2-3 we have a great promise of success if we take time to memorize and meditate on God’s Word. “But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.” Joshua is encourage to do this in Joshua 1:8, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” And in Psalm 23:3 we are told that as we follow the Good and Great Shepherd, “He will restore my soul.” Are you living a “prosperous” life? Do you have a “soul that prospers”? If not, why not today begin to pursue the Lord with all your heart and enjoy and experience the abundant life Jesus promised in John 10:10, “I have come that you might have life and that you might have it more abundantly!” God bless!