Tuesday 14 Apr 2009

Tuesday Reading: 3 John 1:5-8
 
Key Verse: 3 John 1:8
8  Therefore we ought to entertain such, so that we might be co-workers in the truth.

Devotion:
Probably the hardest thing that we could do is to go forward by ourselves and proclaim God’s Word and to spread the truth by ourselves. Christ did not intend that we go out alone and try and do it all by ourselves but rather to stand firm together and support each other. If you are trying to stand up by yourself then you will be the target – sounds harsh, but is true! If, however, you are being supported by others as well as supporting them, then you can help each other to get back up again if you do slip and fall, or if they slip up.

God does not want any of us to get big headed about how much we know or how much we can do for Him because we will then focus more on ourselves than on Him. He would rather we lift others up so that we can all give Him the ultimate glory for what He does for us. If we are the centre of focus, then we are taking that focus away from God. Showing others how we can support them and others will allow them to see that we are in this together and that we can and must all share in God’s Work.

Gaius was a man who continued to show others of the church his own love by encouraging and supporting them at all times. This is an excellent example of what we can do too, not just to those who do not yet know Christ but to all who know Him already too. We need to follow on in Christ’s perfect example and build others up so that we can stand firm together. Christ always made sure that the disciples knew why He did things and taught them when they needed teaching. I’m sure that He saw them doing many things that were not right; but rather than telling them off all the time, He built them up by showing them the right way and encouraging them forward and onwards towards God. Encourage those around you to be more like Gaius as you act more like him too...

Points to Ponder:
Do you like supporting others?

How much do you support other Christians?