“I had much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen & ink. I hope to see you soon so we will talk face to face.”
V3 – Walking in Truth
(The Beloved Gaius - indeed you are walking in the truth) I want to talk to you Face to Face to tell you about my prayer that all is well with your body and soul! James teaches in (1:21) Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
What we do in the flesh is a direct reflection of what is happening in the soul! This is why the Apostle John calls for us (the children of light) to walk in the light!
This is when facts meet up with the truth!
• The fact is that these are trying times, but John said I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
• The fact is that the world will pressure you to bend toward evil, but John said I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
• The fact is that many Christian marriages are falling apart, but John said I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
V8 – Workers for Truth
(The Unruly Diotrephes - we ought to support other Christians that we may be fellow workers for the truth) I want to talk to you Face to Face to tell you more about how you should support other believers for the cause of Christ!
But, there are some Christians that just won’t act right! DIOTREPHES is a Classic Narcissist - an unruly believer who appears to have been a strong personality or a prominent church leader who rejected both John and certain of his followers. (Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright © 1986) 2 Timothy 3:2-5 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people!
• He likes to put himself first
• He did not acknowledge the apostle’s authority
• He talked wicked nonsense against them
• He refuses to welcome other Christians and used his authority to stop others =>> YOU DON’T BE LIKE THIS! “Beloved do not imitate evil, but imitate good.” Some folks won’t change, but don’t let hem change you!
Be careful of the “Just Us Club!” Be careful of any ministry that is designed for “Just Us.” We must welcome the Christian stranger, not welcome weird doctrine but genuine hospitality!
V12 – Witness of Truth
(The Good Demetrius - Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself.) I want to talk to you Face to Face to tell you more about how your testimony is good!
Even Truth itself is a witness to your good testimony! In other words, if truth could speak, it would speak on Demetrius's behalf. I submit that what is in you will always show up on the outside.
When you know that your testimony (witness) is true. No one can take away your testimony! They can take away my (house, car, job, title) but they can’t take my testimony! John is saying that the truth is in you! – Jesus said, “I am the way, the TRUTH and the Life!”
• Ephesians 4:4-6 There is.. One Lord, One faith, One Baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
• Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
• I John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
When the truth is in you – you know that you are an overcomer! I may not have what you have but I have my own testimony! Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.
Now that we are Face to Face, let me be a witness to the Blood of the Lamb. You see I was lost and now I’m found. I was blind, but now I see. I was down in despair, but love lifted me! We are overcomers by the Blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony! He died that I might live! He died that I might be set free! He was wounded for my transgressions, He was bruised for my iniquities: the chastisement of my peace was upon him; and with his stripes I am healed! (Isaiah 53:5)
