3 John 1:5-8 - Gaius, Faithfully Serving

Today, Friday October 15 Gaius, Faithfully Serving 3 John 1:5-8 “Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers, who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well, because they went forth for His name's sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles. We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth.” The Apostle John wrote this little epistle specifically to a man named Gaius. In the first eight verses of this letter John points out at least three things. Gaius had a “soul that prospers.” This meant that he was a spiritually mature and healthy individual. Gaius had a good “testimony or witness ”from both those who knew him up close in his local church and community but also from those “strangers” who only briefly met him. And the third thing we learn about Gaius is that he had a ministry and not only served in his local church but also served others who might be passing through his community. You could say that Gaius opened his heart, he opened his home and he opened his hands as he loved and ministered to others. I believe this wonderful testimony and ministry came from a heart and soul that was connected to Jesus! Real ministry always starts with being and not doing. When we are intimately in fellowship with Jesus and His Word we will be motivated to serve him. And our service will not be a burden to us. I have met so many believers over the years who faithfully served but did it from the wrong motivations. Some serve out of guilt because they don’t want others at church to think they don’t care or might be indifferent. Some serve simply because they want to meet the needs of others and feel good about themselves. But real service comes from abiding in Christ and getting in the yoke with Him and allowing Him to empower us to love and genuinely care and give ourselves to others. This is service that comes from a “prosperous soul”. As John points out here, this type of service honors God, is a witness to the lost and connects us with other “fellow workers for the truth.” When this is happening in our lives we find genuine purpose and fulfillment and we become a great blessing and encouragement to others, especially those who also love the Lord! God did not save us to sit and soak in His blessings but to faithfully serve others like Gaius! God bless!