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Day 173 3 John 1:1 THE ELDER, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth: 2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 5 Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers, 6 who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well, 7 because they went forth for His name’s sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles. 8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth. 9 I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have preeminence among them, does not receive us. 10 Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. Not content with that, he does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church. 11 Beloved do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God. 12 Demetrius has a good testimony from all, and from the truth itself. We also bear witness, and you know that our testimony is true. 13 I had many things to write, but I do not wish to write to you with pen and ink; 14 but I hope to see you shortly, and we will speak face to face. Peace to you. Our friends greet you. Greet the friends by name. Everyone has a reputation, either good or bad. When people come to mind, you know immediately what type of person they are. You either stay away from them or you spend time with them. John rejoiced over Gaius because he followed the Lord in truth. He didn’t rejoice over Diotrephes, who wanted to oversee everything and decided who entered the assembly and who didn’t. Then there was Demetrius who had a good testimony among the people. He told Gaius not to imitate evil but to follow the truth. John told him he had a lot to say but wanted to talk to him face to face. As he ended his letter, he told him to greet everyone by name. What kind of person are you in the body of Christ? Do people look to you for encouragement? Do you exemplify the gifts of the Holy Spirit? Or do you sit on the sidelines and complain about everyone in the congregation who has a more prominent position than you? If you call yourself a Christian, you need to display the fruit of a Christian life. Jesus said we would know people by the fruit they bear in their lives. Matthew 7:15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore, by their fruits you will know them.” You need to be a person people want to be around because you bear good fruit. Encourage one another and give them hope because you speak the truth to them in love. Be a person of good reputation in the body of Christ. Stay away from those who malign and tear down the body. They are only out for their own good, not the good of others. Let’s pray: Father, help me to be a person of good reputation in the body of Christ. Let me bear good fruit for the gospel, encourage people, and show them the love of Christ in everything I say and do. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Copyright © 6 January 2024 by Valerie Routhieaux The image belongs to me.