Contrast Part 1

III John 1:1-8
1 The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
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.
4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
5 Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;
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:
7 Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.
8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.

Gaius

The apostle John wrote about three men in this narrative, Gaius, Diotrephes and Demetrius. Each of these men had a testimony. Remember one of the meanings for testimony is “an outward sign”. An outward sign can be good or bad. A devotional for the next few days will help us to see who these men were in the early church and what kind of testimony each one had. This could be called a lesson of contrasts.

Gaius was someone who John “loved in the truth.” Obviously he was a truthful man. He was a godly Christian who wanted to please God. People went to John to “brag” on Gaius’ truthfulness. What a great testimony. You can count on Gaius to always be truthful in all his dealings. John was glad to hear the reports. It appears that John was his “spiritual father” and discipled him in the word.

He was faithful (translated trustworthy) to all he met. What an awesome testimony. He had the gift of hospitality. It did not matter who he met, people he knew and people he didn’t know. He treated everyone with the utmost kindness. What did these people do? They told others of his love and kindness. John said that others went out for “his name sake” (Jesus’ name) because of the testimony and help of Gaius.

Are we truthful in all our dealings? Do others “brag” about us? Do we treat others with love and kindness?

Have a blessed day,
Donna