3 John reminds me of the Senior Season. That is the latter part of life when our bodies begin to breakdown. As children, we could not imagine an old person ever being young. We must live long enough to witness the aging process before we can understand the transformation. In this season, quiet moments are filled with thoughts of preserving, protecting and posterity. Today’s lesson is about narrowing priorities. In his youth, John had been one of the “Sons of Thunder”; perhaps describing a man of sudden powerful action. Now he is a man of unshakable faith. Again, John introduces himself as “The elder”. This is a term of respect and authority. The letter is addressed to: “My dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth.” His first topic is a common one for seniors: “I pray that you may enjoy good health.” The young take good health for granted. Next, John remembers his friend’s dependability. John had visitors who had encouraged him with news of his friend’s “faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it.” John makes a claim that many seniors understand: “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” I am certain that for John, this includes both his own offspring and all those he led to Christ over the years. Little ones grow up quickly and soon make their own choices. Seniors see the youth being seduced by ancient deception recycled and rebranded. They grieve when their children settle for less than God’s best.
The centerpiece of the letter is exhortation to continue being “faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters… though they are strangers to you.” The extended community that is the worldwide church is amazing. Everyone needs to be part of a strong support system. In his prior letters, John wrote that the most fundamental requirement for being a believer is: “acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh.” The unity of that bond has changed the world. It crosses time, geography, race, and culture. False doctrine obscures our reliance on the sufficiency of the Savior. John adds: “Please send them on their way in a manner that honors God.” With the support of the church, these believers: “for the sake of the Name… went out, receiving no help from the pagans.” John adds: “We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people.” The volume of grace and charity produced by the body of Christ is unparalleled in history and continues throughout the world today.
Next, John has a strong rebuke for a man within the church “who loves to be first.” John calls out Diotrephes by name and describes the result of allowing a self-promoter to be in church leadership. The title of Reverend does not grant immunity from personal accountability. Rather, all church leaders must revere the authority of God’s Word in humility, recognizing that none of us are beyond temptation. John says, “I will call attention to what he is doing… spreading malicious nonsense about us… he even refuses to welcome other believers.” Many of the epistles are letters to the church sent to address blatant sin within the church. Unchecked corruption in any organization is contagious. Firm standards of behavior exist to maintain accountability. Matthew 18:15–20 details the process to correct someone within the church. We do not compare ourselves to each other, we hold ourselves up to the roles given in scripture. This accountability is also the reason to make giving locally a priority. We should never support any ministry that is not transparent about how the funds are spent. Today the government has assumed role of church benevolence, while removing any instruction, wisdom, or accountability. John concludes this very short book with some simple advice: “do not imitate what is evil but what is good.” In context, he is referring to the two men named in his letter. The Senior Season is closer than you think. Friend, what does your community look like today?