"Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth." John is talking about what we now call "missionaries". Gaius was teaching, building up and sending out people to travel and preach the gospel. John suggests that support should follow these missionaries so that they can be in working relationship with them. How can you join forces with the missionaries from your church? Or are you someone that God wants to send out? Missionaries leave the comforts of their home, often times- their home country/continent, the food they're accustomed to, temperatures they're accustomed to, the budget they're familiar with and even family members- for the sake of Jesus. They are burdened with God calling them into cross-cultural ministry, and so they obey. Some don't get back home- even to visit, for years. They leave behind what's familiar, what's comfortable, what they love...for Who they love. Instead of just sending them off with a "Blessing to ya", we should be joining them in financial, prayer and encouraging support. What does this look like for you? Are there missionaries that your church supports? I would encourage you to ask God how He wants you to support the missionaries of your local body. Is it financially? Is it prayerfully? Or is it with encouraging emails/card/words? Find out how you can be a fellow worker!
Together with 1 John 3:6, ("No one who abides in Him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen Him or known Him.") I think the following verse should be greatly considered by all: (verse 11) "Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God." When the majority of people think of evil, they think of murder, rape, con artists, theives, etc. These are true. But any sin or violation of God's Word is evil. Things such as: pride, sex before marriage, gossip, lying, idolatry, dishonoring authority, greed or adultery. If you commit violation of God's Word, but love Jesus and you repent, you are still seen as righteous. However, if you continually, persistently sin against God without repentance, you are walking in sin. The Bible says that if you continue in sin, you have not truly seen God. I exhort you to test your faith in Jesus by this. Some of you say you believe- or even love, Jesus. I truly hope you do. However, if you are continuing in sin, then God says you have not truly seen Him. I think this is where much of the "Christians" are today. Too many people say they believe but don't follow it up with their actions or their heart. It's these people that give followers of Jesus a bad rep. What's so great about Jesus in these peoples' lives that others would want a relationship with Jesus too? His Word hasn't transformed them, His love hasn't been displayed, and His character hasn't been developed in them. When these verses say 'that person hasn't seen or known God' I think it's referring to the people who like the idea of Jesus, but don't really know Jesus. It's when you have a real relationship with Him that you realize your need for Him. Change happens. Blessings are bountiful. Mercy and grace are seen in abundance. Love overflows. I challenge you to be honest with yourself. Do you obey God's Word? Are you sickened at the sin in your life? Are you searching for something to fill that 'emptiness'? Do you understand why I am so satisfied in a relationship with Jesus? Please email me if you have any questions regarding any of this. I would love the opportunity to pray for you.
~Leanne~
Together with 1 John 3:6, ("No one who abides in Him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen Him or known Him.") I think the following verse should be greatly considered by all: (verse 11) "Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God." When the majority of people think of evil, they think of murder, rape, con artists, theives, etc. These are true. But any sin or violation of God's Word is evil. Things such as: pride, sex before marriage, gossip, lying, idolatry, dishonoring authority, greed or adultery. If you commit violation of God's Word, but love Jesus and you repent, you are still seen as righteous. However, if you continually, persistently sin against God without repentance, you are walking in sin. The Bible says that if you continue in sin, you have not truly seen God. I exhort you to test your faith in Jesus by this. Some of you say you believe- or even love, Jesus. I truly hope you do. However, if you are continuing in sin, then God says you have not truly seen Him. I think this is where much of the "Christians" are today. Too many people say they believe but don't follow it up with their actions or their heart. It's these people that give followers of Jesus a bad rep. What's so great about Jesus in these peoples' lives that others would want a relationship with Jesus too? His Word hasn't transformed them, His love hasn't been displayed, and His character hasn't been developed in them. When these verses say 'that person hasn't seen or known God' I think it's referring to the people who like the idea of Jesus, but don't really know Jesus. It's when you have a real relationship with Him that you realize your need for Him. Change happens. Blessings are bountiful. Mercy and grace are seen in abundance. Love overflows. I challenge you to be honest with yourself. Do you obey God's Word? Are you sickened at the sin in your life? Are you searching for something to fill that 'emptiness'? Do you understand why I am so satisfied in a relationship with Jesus? Please email me if you have any questions regarding any of this. I would love the opportunity to pray for you.
~Leanne~
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