Prospering
3 John 1:1 The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
The Bible mentions that Gaius was a companion of Paul, he baptized converts, was from Derbe and a host at onetime to Paul, possibly when he visited his church.
John, who loved the truth had a love for his companion in truth. We who minister with others have special love and trust towards each other. This was also true with John and Gaius.
3 John 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
John speaks a blessing with a condition that he knew Gaius had met. That you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul continues to prosper. How many do we know who are miserable and depressed and yet they spend no time seeking God in his word? This is assuming that they are truly bornagain of God's spirit. This is the key to a prosperous soul as in Romans 12:2.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
The key to prosperity is abiding in truth.
3 John 1:3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.
3 John 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 17:16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
John 17:18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
To know Jesus and his word is to know truth and to prosper. What greater prosperity then to lead a soul out of darkness to eternal light and truth?
Rom 2:7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
Rom 2:8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
Rom 2:9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
Rom 2:10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
Rom 2:11 For there is no respect of persons with God.
Prosperity is a right relationship with the Living God.
Receive the Brethren
3 John 1:5 Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;
3 John 1:6 Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:
3 John 1:7 Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.
The church was to show hospitality to strangers and to those sent as ministers. God will reward you with the same reward received of the one sent. Who knows you may entertain an angel. We are not to be critics of the Lord's servants, but we are to give to their necessities; food,water, shelter, comfort as needed.
Heb 13:2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
Mat 10:40 He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
Mat 10:41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.
Mat 10:42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
1 Pet 4:8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
1 Pet 4:9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
3 John 1:8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.
If we receive them we help those who give out the truth. In 2John we were told not to even invite in a false teacher, but those of like faith we are to receive.
Some shepherds are jealous over their flock, envious with evil hearts, as was Diotrephes. He was putting down others to exalt his own ministry. He only knew his own version of "truth."
3 John 1:9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
3 John 1:10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.
This was a shepherd with the heart of a devil. We must not be under bondage to such a man.
Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Mat 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Mat 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
Is the shepherd you follow hospitable? Does he love people with a humble heart? Does he preach the truth? This is required of a Pastor.
Titus 1:7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
Titus 1:8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
Titus 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
Good Report
3 John 1:11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
James 3:12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
James 3:13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
James 3:14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
James 3:15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
James 3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
3 John 1:12 Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.
Demetrius was a respected man of good report. It is important to be of good report if we are followers of Jesus. Many by their fleshly ways claim to be Christians and bring a bad witness to the name of our Lord.
Rom 14:16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
Rom 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
3 John 1:13 I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:
3 John 1:14 But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.
He wishes to speak face to face. Friends want to be together, not separate. John concludes his third letter, a letter about truth and hospitality for the people of God.
Gary
Eaglewings Ministries
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