Walking in Truth

3 John

“The measuring rod for your spiritual well-being, for the success of your Christian life, is whether or not you are walking in truth—whether you’re living by the standard of God’s Word.” Dr. Tony Evans

John wrote this 3rd letter to his friend Gaius to encourage him in a difficult situation in his local church. Again, he concentrated on making God’s truth a vital part of life... Here, he looks at the passage in 4 parts: Walking in truth, Working for truth, Welcoming the truth, Witnessing for the truth.

“The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth. 2 Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. 3 For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” 3 John 1–4 (ESV)

People could see the truth in Gaius because he loved it and walked in obedience to it, and that brought great joy to John. Every Christian parent can echo verse 4 and even make it a prayer. Are your children walking in the Lord? Have they surrendered their life to following after Jesus?

“Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, 6 who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. 7 For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. 8 Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth. 3 John 5-8 (ESV)

When you assist and encourage God’s servants, you become a fellow worker with them in spreading the truth. Christian hospitality was important in those days and ought to be revived today.

We should support those who set out for the sake of the Name of Jesus—those who are doing the work of God as evangelists, teachers, church planters, and missionaries. By providing them with financial support, hospitality, encouragement, and prayer, we can be coworkers with the truth. God thus credits to our accounts the blessings that he gives to them because we are their helpers.
I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. 10 So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church.

You imagine Diotrephes rejecting a message from the apostle John! He was so “separated” that he did not even receive John’s friends. When we welcome God’s people, we welcome God’s truth.

“Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God. 12 Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true. 13 I had much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink. 14 I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face. 14 Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends, each by name.”

Not all church members are like Diotrephes; there are people like Demetrius who love the truth and live it. They are the ones who make the local church healthy. Demetrius’s life showed consistency: the way he lived matched the truth of Scripture. When you see this kind of pattern in a leader, you know you can follow him.

Who is it that in your group needs to hear the Gospel message of God’s Son?

John’s words here are a reminder that writing can be useful, but it can’t replace talking face to face. Whether someone needs warning or encouragement, emails and text messages don’t compare to looking a brother or sister in the eye and “speaking the truth in love.” Who in your circle of influence needs to hear from God, His son, or you?

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