III JOHN A Case Study in HOSPITALITY & CHARACTER

III JOHN A Case Study in HOSPITALITY & FELLOWSHIP

III John, is a wonderful Book of the New Testament about fellowship! It is the third in a series; I, II & III John are all written by the Apostle John. Although the size of a memo; a mere thirteen verses, it is rather great as far as substance. It can be read in only a few minutes but it will take a lifetime to fully absorb! III John is the shortest book in the entire Bible! John is one of the few faithful followers that was with JESUS until the end. He was an enthusiastic eyewitness during Jesus’ Ministry while incarnate in His sinless body of flesh! John refers to himself as “The Elder,” he used Ephesus as his base during the latter part of his ministry. Of the three letters this is considered to be the most personal! After a visit by some of the Church there are some valid compelling concerns. John responds to those concerns in this letter.

III John begins with a warm salutation with John commending them once again for walking in TRUTH! He expresses his desire that their soul would prosper and that they would be in good health! John has some real concerns because of Diotrephes a leader who wants the preeminence and is quite unkind to those who oppose him. To the degree he tries to put them out of the Church. God never intended for His Church to become a legalistic hierarchy. “God is not a respecter of persons.” Although our gifts, talents, positions and calling vary our significance and importance to God are  equal. For example a pastor may carry the Church on his shoulders but Jesus Christ is the Head of HIS CHURCH! The key scripture in III John is: “Dear friend, you are Faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you…”

In III John we find two very radically different men who greatly differ in their approach to Ministry. Gaius is a man of hospitality and welcomes others. John writes and commends him for his faithfulness and generosity. But on the other hand Diotrephes, John rebukes because of his prideful conduct! He being quite the contrary would not welcome those John had sent to help. He was insecure and quite selfish! He did not want them to have anything to say. John gives us a portrait of these two men. One demonstrates GENUINE service to God the other his own SELFHISHNESS!

John wants them to have true fellowship. Fellowship means to have equal company with one another, to have partnership. Diotrephes had something else in mind. He wanted to instead control the people of God. He was not kind to those who John sent to evangelize, teach, preach encourage and equip the believers in his province. Although they were received by other members. Diotrephes wanted to be first! “I wrote to the Church, but Diotrephes who loves to have the preeminence among them did not receive them.” He did not practice good hospitality as John stresses! It is important to always remember, Ministry is for the sake of God not our own! Rather than receive them he attempted to tarnish their credibility. Sad to say but true this still goes on to a large degree! We must always remember that the Church belongs to Jesus Christ. He died for the Church! There is much spiritual warfare that goes on within and around God’s Church. In this 21^st century no doubt even more so… One must keep in mind that God knows our hearts intents! He knows who belongs to him! ( Please see Trouble In The CHURCH)

The Bible confronts us rather often and teaches us that sin is missing the mark. It is really important to know that there is much going on NOW to minimize sin and label it unconditional love. However we must still confront sin. In ourselves as well as others. Sin separates us from God and leaves a doorway open for the enemy to gain a stronghold! If we should seek to consistently seek God’s Word to resolve our life problems or issues? I wonder how much further along we would be as His Church if this was really put into practice?

Here is what happened in III John! Listen to what III John says: “I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will have nothing to do with us. So if I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, gossiping maliciously about us. Not satisfied with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church.” It is possible that a faithful brother Demetrius who had a high regard for TRUTH carried this letter from John to Gaius. John wants them to know how important it is to maintaining the Christian principles and the sharing of The Message of Christ Jesus!

John is concerned about what he hears and he assures them that at some point he will come and visit them and see them face to face! But in the meantime ; Dear friend, do not imitate evil but what is GOOD. Anyone who does GOOD is from GOD. Anyone who does evil has not seen GOD…”