The book of 3 John is another short letter written by the Apostle John, with the emphasis of “walking in the Light.”
The book of 3 John opens with commendation for “walking in the Light” … in particular, a man named Gaius is highly commended for:
– being faithful to the Truth – 3 John 1:3
– walking in the Truth – 3 John 1:3
– faithfully loving others well – 3 John 1:5-6
– showing hospitality to fellow-Christians – 3 John 1:8
Not only is Gaius commended, but also a man named Demetrius is highly commended. – 3 John 1:12
However, 3 John calls out a serious warning against a leader within the church who is demanding, domineering, and controlling! This man, Diotrephes:
– loves to be first – 3 John 1:9
– is disrespectful towards spiritual authority – 3 John 1:9
– gossips maliciously about spiritual leaders – 3 John 1:10
– refuses to welcome fellow-Christians – 3 John 1:10
– hinders and stops those who seek to welcome fellow-Christians – 3 John 1:10
– puts out of the church those whom he does not like – 3 John 1:10
John is very clear that this type of behavior is evil! And that those who behave in this manner are not truly Christians. “Dear friends, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. … Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.” – 3 John 1:11
Our background gate for today is in the bright sunlight (as opposed to the shadows). This could represent those mentioned in the book of 3 John who were faithfully following Jesus Christ and “walking in the Light.”
However, our background gate is not at all open or welcoming. The staunch metal posts on either side and the closed gate could represent domineering, demanding people who hold absolute control over when the gate is opened and to whom the gate is opened for.
The message of 3 John is: That type of behavior wrong! That behavior is evil!
Watch out for such people!
Jesus Christ in 3 John
Jesus is the Name, for whose sake believers minister. – 3 John 1:7-8
