By Andrew Williams – October 13, 2021
“I had many things to write, but I do not wish to write to you with pen and ink; but I hope to see you shortly, and we shall speak face to face. Peace to you. Our friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.” III John 1:14 NKJV
Good morning fellow disciples.
The book of 3rd John is a very short letter. In it, we have seen John communicating with Gaius about what it means to be a true disciple and a true witness of God. He ends the letter by saying that he could write more but he would prefer to speak to him face to face. A letter is a form of communication that sometimes makes things more clear than the spoken word, but sometimes is lacking compared to the spoken word.
To communicate means:
1. to convey knowledge of or information about: make known, or
2. to transmit information, thought, or feeling so that it is satisfactorily received or understood.
I believe that John did convey knowledge and information in such a way that it was satisfactorily received and understood by Gaius. Even today, nearly 2,000 years later we are still receiving knowledge and information from John the apostle and it is easily understood. Thank You, Lord, for allowing him to record this word so that we too could benefit from it.
My fellow disciples, how do you communicate best with others? Is it through writing, face-to-face conversations, preaching, texting, or talking on the phone? Maybe you are good at one but not good at others or maybe you are good at many. The important question is, ”do you use these modes of communication to help others to come into a deeper and greater understanding of who they are in Christ, and how they can help others to live like Christ?”
As we end these reflections on the book of 3rd John may we use what we have learned to communicate with others in ways that will help us and them to be better disciples of Christ.
Prayer: Father God help us to use every opportunity to communicate with others so that we can help them to be better disciples. Empower us to transmit information, thought, or feeling so that it is satisfactorily received or understood.
When we receive communication help us to be receptive to information that leads us into greater fellowship with You and help us to be obedient. Holy Spirit we realize that You communicate with us in ways that the Lord Jesus Christ and Father God does not. Help us to be receptive to Your teaching and to be obedient to You.
Father God, as we read Your Holy Scriptures help us to realize that You are communicating to us through them. Help us to be receptive and obedient to Your commands. Help us to receive and understand Your love for us as expressed in the Bible, and help us to understand and fulfill the roles that You have ordained for us. Amen.