Acting faithfully

3 John 5-6a Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren, and especially when they are strangers; and they have testified to your love before the church. In 2nd John, John addressed the church regarding hospitality offered to false prophets. He warned them about participating in their evil deeds by welcoming them and blessing them on their way. In John’s 3rd epistle, he intended to encourage Gaius and the church in how they loved the brethren through their hospitality. More than likely, some of the brethren who visited Gaius were strangers to him. God put them in his path, and he acted faithfully in caring for them and helping them on their way. Where does such love come from? It is the love of Christ faithfully By calling Gaius “beloved” for the second time, John brought to Gaius’ attention that He was loved by God. He knew that was so because of Gaius’ love testified of by the brethren who had received his hospitality. In 1 John 4:19 John wrote, “We love because He first loved us.” So John knew the source of Gaius’ love was that he had been loved. That’s what “beloved” means—one who is loved.” Gaius is a great example and encouragement to us to live to love with Jesus. Out of the fulness of His love, we act faithfully by accomplishing whatever the Lord gives us to do for, whoever He brings in our paths, especially for those who are our brothers and sisters in Christ.