5 Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you. (3 John 1:5 NIV)

John is writing to a “dear friend” named Gaius. Some people had seen John and went out of their way to tell him about how Gaius’ “faithfulness to the truth” and how he was continuing to walk in the truth. People in our day love to talk about other people. Wouldn’t it be great if their talk about us consisted of our faithfulness to the truth and our willingness to walk in the truth of God?

When we come to our memory verse for the week, 3 John 1:5, John writes, “Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you.”  What John is “doing” he is faithful in doing. It’s not a half-hearted effort. He’s not doing it because he feels guilty or pressured into doing it. He’s not griping about having to do what he’s doing. He’s faithfully carrying out what God has called him to do. What exactly was he doing? Was he teaching God’s Word, encouraging the brothers and sisters, helping those in need? Praying for those in need of prayer? We don’t know exactly what he was doing, but I bet he was filling whatever need came about that he was able to meet. Another question is, “Who was he serving?” Was it only the people of his church? His friends and closest companions? I’m sure he was helping, teaching, and encouraging those in his own church and circle of friends, but John praises him because he was serving “even though they are strangers to you.” It’s not too difficult to serve those whom we love and know, but God desires to broaden our circle of service so that use the gifts He has given us to touch the lives of those we wouldn’t ordinarily even think about.

I know so many folks who are faithful in doing what they are doing for the brothers and sisters. I want to encourage you as John encouraged Gaius. Keep being faithful in serving our King as you serve the people He brings across your path.

 

 

 

52 Weeks 52 Verses: Week 48
3 John 1:5
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