III John

"Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good.  Anyone who does what is good is from GOd.  Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God."  (III John 1:11)  The book of III John has no "3:16"

This third letter of John was written to Johns' friend Galus to thank Galus for the hospitality he had shown to missionaries.  Galus had welcomed these missionaries into his home, even though they were complete strangers.

John then writes about what is and is not appropriate behavior towards missionaries.  He writes about three men and each of their behaviors towards Christ's teachers.  Two of the men were generous, kind truth-seekers.  But, the third man was selfish, controlling, and full of pride. He misused his position in the church; this was not of God. This third man ,Diotrephes,  was named in this short letter from John to Galus;  imagine having your name forever written in God's Word - and, your name synonymous with how NOT to act!  The message of this letter was  to NOT behave the way this man did!

There is always pain and brokenness behind evil. Jesus can heal that brokenness if you invite Him to do so. Only He can understand our hurts and our suffering.  He died for our sins.  He also died for our shame, our addictions, our deepest hurts.  On the cross, He experienced betrayal, the deepest rejection, abuse.  People spat in His face, shouted racial slurs at Him, stripped Him of His clothes... He felt so abandoned... so alone... There were a few people at the foot of the cross who loved Him.  I'm sure they tried to comfort Him.  Did He hear them?  I hope so...

If you have any negative experience which is keeping you from doing good, give it to Him. "...We implore you on Christ's behalf:  Be reconciled to God. God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God."  (II Corinthians 5: 20,21)

PHILEMON

   "I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains." (Philemon 1:10  NIV)
                                (the book of Philemon has no "3:16"

Paul was in this prison...ghastly

The book of Philemon   is a short letter written by Paula while he was in prison. Paul wrote this letter to his friend Philemon, asking him to forgive Onesimus and give him assistance. In this scripture the terminology "son" refers to the fact that Paul had led Onesimus to Christ; thus, Paul had "fathered" Onesimus in Christianity.  Paul had also fathered Philemon in Christ many years earlier...

Paul and Onesimus met in prison. When they met, Onesimus was a runaway slave, and his master was Paul's old friend Philemon.  Small world.  Now, in this letter, Paul is asking Philemon to forgive this runaway slave and to take him in as a brother.  Paul writes, "You both are now brothers in Christ.  Forgive him - like Christ forgives you.  Take him in.  But not as a slave; as a brother.  And, if he owes you anything, I will pay it." This reminds me of the story of  "The Good Samaritan";  the good Samaritan not only immediately helped the injured man, he payed for several days of  the mans care, and, returned a few days later to check on his progress. The story of the Good Samaritan can be read in Luke 10:30-37.  It  is a word picture, demonstrating the difference between  selfishness and compassion in action.

Near the end of Paul's letter to Philemon, he writes, "Confident of your obedience, I write to you knowing that you will do even more than I ask." (Philemon 1:21)

The short book of Philemon reveals the characteristics of forgiveness at its best.   Not only was Paul willing to help Onesimus by writing this letter,  he was also willing to pay his debts. (Put your money where your mouth is!)  And, he trusted Philemon to do the right thing as well.



Today it is very easy to walk past a situation and say, "I don't want to get involved."   But, as Believers,  we have a higher calling than theordinary person.  Let us not be like sardines in a can... all lined up,  looking alike, acting alike, being alike.  But, we are called to be more Christlike... forgiveness, compassion, caring. Even if we think the other person doesn't "deserve" it.  As one elderly lady said  to me years ago, "If any of us got what we deserve, we'd all be in hell."