Thoughts from yesterday...
I was reading 3 John the other day, and man, even though it’s a short letter, it really packs a punch. It’s written by the apostle John to a guy named Gaius, who was known for his kindness and hospitality. John encourages him to keep living in truth, showing love, and leading with integrity—things that are just as relevant for us today as they were back then.
Here’s what stood out to me:
1. Walking in Truth (3 John 1:3-4)
John tells Gaius, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” That hit me—truth is a big deal. With so much misinformation floating around, it’s easy to get caught up in things that aren’t grounded in God’s Word. Walking in truth means staying rooted in what we know is right—whether in our workplaces, friendships, or church life. Integrity matters.
2. Hospitality Matters (3 John 1:5-8)
John praises Gaius for the way he supports fellow believers, even strangers. He says, “Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers.” This reminded me that hospitality isn’t just about having people over for dinner—it’s about being generous with our time, resources, and encouragement. Maybe that means supporting a missionary, helping a struggling friend, or just being that person who makes others feel welcome.
3. Watch Out for Prideful Leadership (3 John 1:9-10)
Then there’s Diotrephes—a guy in the church who was all about himself. He refused to listen to others and wanted all the attention. John calls him out, warning against leaders who crave power instead of serving others. That’s a reminder for us, whether we’re in leadership or just interacting with people daily—humility over pride, always.
4. Follow the Right Examples (3 John 1:11-12)
John keeps it simple: “Do not imitate what is evil, but what is good.” We’re all influenced by something—social media, entertainment, the people around us. The question is, are we surrounding ourselves with godly influences? It’s easy to get distracted by the wrong voices, but we’ve got to be intentional about following people who point us toward Jesus.
Final Thought
Reading 3 John reminded me how much truth, love, and integrity matter in our daily lives. In a world full of half-truths, selfish ambition, and negativity, we’re called to live differently—to be generous, to walk in truth, and to lead with humility.
Let’s be the kind of people who reflect Jesus in everything we do.