3 JOHN (Letter 64, Larry Crabb’s 66 Love Letters)

Release Love Before You Judge Sin in Another
It’s a good day when God gives me a glimpse of myself.

Real fellowship with the Trinity is the power to love the person in your life whom you feel most justified in judging.

Be like John. Walk in the truth – a way that includes loving well when others don’t.

Be like Gaius. Concern yourself more with the well-being of others than your own, even when giving up self-protection entails imminent risk.

Be like Demetrius. Continue teaching truth wherever you have opportunity. Don’t be muffled by opposition.

3 JOHN: From Ray Stedman

Click here for entire Bible Summary from Ray Stedman

3 JOHN: A Tale Of Three Men

Third John gives us an intimate glimpse into the life of the early church.

Third John shows us something of the problem of personalities within the church, and three people are mentioned here. There is a man named Gaius, to whom this letter is written; another man named Diotrephes, and a third individual named Demetrius. These three men are like three kinds of Christians found in the church in any age.

• Three things that John says about him are important to notice:
• First, he was strong of soul; that was what warmed John’s heart: Gaius was the sort of man about whom the Apostle John could say, “I wish your physical life were as strong as your spiritual life.”
• Further, he was consistent in his actions: He knew the truth and he walked in the truth.
• And finally, he was generous in his giving: And this man is faithful cheerful in his giving.

John indicates here that Diotrephes was guilty of four particular wrong attitudes and actions:

1. John says that this man was guilty of slandering the apostle, “prating [preaching] against me with evil words.” He refused the authority of the Apostle John. So here was a man who not only disregarded the authority of the Apostle John, but he even spoke against him.
2. Furthermore, he says that Diotrephes is refusing to welcome the traveling ministers He turned them aside and refused to allow them to speak in the church.
3. A third thing is that he also puts people out of the church who would have taken these men in.
4. But of those three offenses, none was as severe as the thing John puts first. The most serious problem Diotrephes had was that he put himself first. This is always the philosophy of the flesh – me first!

3 JOHN – David Jeremiah (Understanding the 66 Books of the Bible)

Key thought: Those who selflessly support the Lord’s cause are to be commended; those who don’t must be confronted.

Key Verse: I rejoice greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 3 John 1:3-4

Key Action: Diligently encourage God’s work and show hospitality to His workers.