3 John 5 (NASB)
Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren, and especially when they are strangers.
Bible Commentary
John is not only praising Gaius for his hospitality towards his fellow Christians, but also when they are strangers.
It is easy to get caught up in our day-to-day lives and forget an essential part of being a Christian…helping others.
Hebrews 13:2 says “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.”
Jesus’ ministry was all about helping others, specifically the lost. As followers of Jesus, we are called to do more than just go to church, read our Bibles and pray. We are called to help those in need.
Like me, I’m sure most of you have had people approach you and ask for help, usually money. I must admit my first thought is not to give them anything because I don’t trust their motives.
One day a woman approached me in our church parking lot and asked if I would give her some money for gas. As I was considering her “true motives” God spoke to me and said, “give her some money and let Me worry about her motives.”
Was this lady scamming me? Maybe!
Was this lady in true need? Maybe!
Or was this lady an angel in disguise? Only God Knows!
On that day the Lord said those questions were for Him, not me. I was simply to help her and let Him worry about the rest.
I have come to realize it’s not about giving money, food or time to someone in need. That is just a deed. What it is about however, is showing them God’s love in action.
We can do everything a “good Christian” is supposed to do, but without expressing unconditional love towards others, it’s just lip service. There is no action behind our faith.
1 Corinthians 13:1
If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
The next time a stranger asks you for help, will it be a scam, a true need or an angel in disguise? Only God knows and that is good enough for me!
Study 3 John 5 and see God’s pleasure in our unconditional love toward others.
