Devotional on 3 John 1–15
Church family,
This week, I’d like to encourage us all to take a moment to read and reflect on 3 John 1–15. As you join me, you’ll likely notice just how similar 2 John and 3 John are!
Both letters express a common concern for walking in love and truth. Both have a similar form. Both start with John’s introduction as “the elder” and end with the statement that he longed to be with the church face-to-face. In 2 John, he referred to the two churches as the elect lady and their elect sister—most likely to express Christ’s husbandry to them (2 John 1, 13). Here, he refers to the churches as two groups of “friends” (3 John 15).
However, while the rest of the church was meant to read the letter (designated by the plural “you” by the end), John writes specifically to “the beloved Gaius” (3 John 1, 5, 15). His intent was to encourage Gaius as a leader in the church, who had chosen to cling to the way of truth. Gaius listened to the apostles’ teaching, rather than falling into the trap of false teaching from Diotrephes and his followers.
Not much is known about Diotrephes, except that he refused “to welcome the brothers” (v. 10). These brothers were likely fellow pastors and apostles with John. And his refusal wasn’t merely limited to a lack of hospitality, but a refusal to embrace their full teaching concerning Christ. He was consumed with his own ego and authority within the covenant community. So much that he spoke “wicked nonsense” against leaders like John.
This is why John soberly warned Gaius in verse 11: “Do not imitate evil, but imitate good.” Then John pragmatically encouraged him to connect with Demetrius and take heart in his reception to the truth of God. Then, on top of that, John affirmed that Gaius was staying true to testimony of the apostles to Christ’s person and work. In other words, he was hardly alone in his allegiance to Christ Jesus!
I believe there are so many things that you and I can glean from this brief letter.
First and foremost, the Lord is committed to his church. He cared deeply enough about the spiritual vitality of an unnamed church that he inspired John to write to Gaius and the church gathered together to admonish them to press on when the going gets tough. What does this say about how God is committed to you, to us, and to our church?
Second, God will always prove faithful and true in safeguarding the church’s biblical witness to Christ. In some seasons, the "Capital C" Church is more or less visible. In history, the doctrine of the gospel has been taught and embraced in varying degrees (WCF 25.4). And in the United States, we see an apparent lack of interest in the things of Christ by and large. But the gospel will continue to be taught, and embraced, and bear fruit exactly as God sees fit. Will you pray for God to bear the fruit of the gospel all the more in the life of our church? And would you pray that we would resist the workings of the devil who prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour?
Finally, know that we as believers are a part of the church universal. You and I at Christ Covenant are not alone in bearing witness to the transformative power of the gospel of Grace. So will you take a moment to not only contemplate this truth, but also share it with another member in our church?
As always, I am praying for you all by name this week. Stand firm in the peace of Christ!
In Christ,
Rich
