[Truth and Love] the ReflectionÖrnek

Rejoicing in the truth

In his third letter, John addresses Gaius and calls him beloved. It is important to note that here the word beloved comes from the word agape, which is the type of love God has for us.

Gaius is not only beloved by God, but also loved in truth by John. Thus, John is giving us Christ’s example: to love one another as He has loved us and to do it in truth. Truth and love go together. Jesus told us we should walk in the truth of his commands, the first command being to love one another.

John undoubtedly learned this from Jesus, who went about the land healing people of their physical ailments. Jesus understood that your spiritual life could suffer if your health was terrible. So, John prays that Gaius could prosper above all. He prayed that his life would be an excellent journey to the full and that his health would prosper as much as his soul or spiritual life progressed.

The body and the spirit go together. If the body works well, the spirit should work well, and vice versa. It is a good idea not only to pray for physical health but for spiritual health as well.

John receives word that Gaius is walking in the truth and expressing it. He does so by loving the people sent to his church to preach. Gaius is hospitable to them and makes them feel worthy. They testified that he was living what he believed.

John wrote that he had no greater joy than to hear that his children were walking in the truth. Many other things could have brought John great joy, such as not being in prison, not being persecuted, or not being in exile, but John's joy reflected his values. What do we rejoice greatly in? Do we rejoice when we see somebody walking in the truth and expressing it by loving others? Does our life show that we are believers loved by Christ? We can love others, in turn, by taking them meals, praying for them, visiting them in the hospital, coming alongside them, and discipling them. Are you walking in the truth and experiencing this love and joy?

Lord, I want my life to show that I walk in truth and love other believers.