3 John 1:7 NLT
For they are traveling for the Lord, and they accept nothing from people who are not believers.
This was really interesting because it showed a very distinct separation from the world. These people that were serving the Lord were told not to even accept gifts and support from people who didn't know the Lord. We talked about this in our devotional this morning and just think that it is because when someone gives you a gift...even if there is no intention in tying one person to the other...there is a bond that is created. On the other hand...there is an amazing bond created when we as Christians support our brothers and sisters in the field.
11 Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.
ReplyDeleteImitate what is Good, what is good? Jesus is Good. If we if we try to imitate Jesus then we are setting ourselves up nicely to do good, and not be evil. That is what the scripture is telling us here i feel.If it were only that easy. It is just, for me at least, very good to know what i am striving for. We need to strive to be like Jesus.
4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
ReplyDeleteMaking disciples is not just about speaking the Word of God to people...It is about teaching them through your words and your life what it means to walk in the truth of the Gospel. John is not content to merely preach the truth, but earnestly desires that the people he is discipling will live that truth out. Just as Jesus says:
Matthew 7:24 "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
Let us not just teach people what to do, let us show through our lives how to walk.
v.5 "Dear friend you are faithful in what you are doing for your brothers even though they are strangers to you."
ReplyDeleteI love that strangers are his brothers. At formal we went to the beach and these 5,7 and 10 year old boys saw we were digging a hole and we were instant best friends. That kind of incredible, childish willingness to love strangers is something I love. I want to be known as someone whose brothers are everyone I meet. I want that love. I want to be the kind of person who people I love and respect write and say "you are faithful." And all the glory be to God.