Work Together for the Truth

May 3, 2015 Background Scripture: 3 John Lesson Passage: 3 John The Apostle John addresses this letter to an individual named Gaius. The letter is filled with thanksgiving for the missionary work of Gaius. Gaius gave direct support to the missionaries who were sent to teach and help the churches scattered throughout Asia. These missionaries were mostly Jewish Christians who had been taught by the Apostles. Although many of the congregations were Gentile, the Jewish missionaries shared the gospel with them but did not receive anything from them to support their work. Perhaps this was due to the Jewish Christians’ upbringing that required social separation from Gentiles especially in matters pertaining to food. The work of the missionaries greatly multiplied the apostles’ effectiveness at delivering the gospel message to the ends of the earth. This was truly Jesus’ plan of evangelism at work. The Apostles had become the catalyst Jesus called them from the world and prepared them to be. The Apostles were training others to do the work of evangelism and the missionaries were to become trainers themselves of the new converts. The Great Commission is for this process to be repeated to the ends of the earth by the Christian church. This method is extremely effective but it does come with challenges. The itinerant nature of the missionaries’ work left them dependent on the Christians, in the areas where they went, to supply their physical needs. People like Gaius were seen as faithful and word made it back to the apostles concerning their benevolence. John encouraged Gaius by reminding him that his benevolence to the missionaries made him a fellow helper in the propagation of the gospel message. It is good to know that every Christian does not have to go out into an unconverted community to spread the gospel for the message to reach every place in the world. But it is of high importance that benevolent support be given to those missionaries whose calling it is to go. Christians such as Gaius have undoubtedly always been a part of God’s plan for Christian evangelism. John had attempted to send a letter to the entire congregation but one of the local leaders in the congregation refused to allow the letter to reach the members. John identified that leader as Diotrephes. John described Diotrephes as the type of person who likes to be in charge and wants to be the boss. Diotrephes even excommunicated some of the members who attempted to help the missionaries John had sent. He showed no mercy towards the missionaries or the members of the congregation and he refused to respect the apostles who sent the missionaries. Just as there has always been Gaiuses, there will likely always be Diotrephes. Certainly there are many today. There are people who refuse to support ministry if it is not all about them. Not only will they refuse to participate in support of ministry, they will also attempt to harass others into not participating. Their pride is too much of a barrier for them to overcome. But God continues to raise up others to work together for the spread of the gospel. We thank God today that the good news of the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ is still reaching lost souls because there are Christians who work together for the truth. Robert C. Hudson March 25, 2015