When we see the word hospitality, what do we automatically think of? I think of welcoming someone. The dictionary says, hospitality, “The friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors or strangers.” Hmm! That means no clicks!
There was a man named Diotrephes, who was a dictatorial-type leader and was excommunicating believers in one of the churches in the province of Asia.
John is writing to commend Gaius, a well-respected man, for supporting his teachers. John tells him, “We ought to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth.” (3 John 8)
How do we see visitors or strangers who walk in the church? Do we welcome them and make them feel comfortable?
- When we welcome strangers we welcome Jesus.
As homeowners, don’t we show hospitality when someone arrives? Yes, it should also be that way in our churches, in the house of God. Welcome one another, in the love of Jesus.
So grateful for my home church which welcomes many in the love of the Lord. If there’s one passion of our Pastor, it is to do just this!
As John is commending Gaius for welcoming his teachers, he also calls attention to the one who is not operating in a spirit of hospitality. He says, “Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will have nothing to do with us.” (3 John 9)
- Be wise of folks who always need to be first.
- Learn to view them through the eyes of the Lord, in hospitality, realizing they may feel insecure and insufficient.
- Needing to be first is a clear sign of the insignificance they may feel.
- Love them and be hospitable to them.
However, remember Jesus said, “Recognize them by their fruit.” The fruit Diotrephes was exhibiting was “Gossiping maliciously about us. Not satisfied with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers.” (3 John 10)
- Love them with the love of God, but it’s ok to stand clear of them.
“The boundary lines have fallen in pleasant places.” (Psalm 16: 6)
It always surprises me that this kind of behavior is in the church, the house of God. John deals with it immediately, and says, “Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.” (3 John 11)
- Yes, we will know them by their fruit.
- Examine the fruit before you bite, or before they bite you.
- If it’s rotten fruit, don’t eat of it, it may make you sick.
The first fruit that was picked and enjoyed was in the Garden of Eden. The fruit that was the fall of mankind, was the fruit that was forbidden that, “God commanded we do not eat from.” (Genesis 3: 11)
You will know a tree by its fruit! “Every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.” (Matthew 7: 17-19)
- I’m sticking to the Vine!
Be wise and watchful! Not everyone who speaks of God is a servant of God. Read the verses in Matthew 7, prior to verse, 17. The context begins talking about false prophets.
(Shared from 3 John 1, Modified)
Good And Evil Cannot Be Mixed
The Psalmist is making an appeal to the Judge of the earth. He asks this question, “Can a corrupt throne be allied with you, one that brings on misery by its decrees? They band together against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death.” (Psalm 94: 20-21)
Here’s how the Lord deals with unrepentant hearts: “He will repay them for their sins and destroy them for their wickedness; the Lord our God will destroy them.” (Psalm 94: 23)
How can we avoid this? “The Lord has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.” (Psalm 94: 22)
- Corrupt thrones work mischief and evil.
- The Lord’s justice will prevail.
- Know which side you are on.
- Know which side is good and which side is evil.
- We can’t straddle between both.
- Choose this day, whom you will serve.
(Shared from Psalm 94, Modified)
Walking In The Good Of The Lord
Ezra, a teacher, with the hand of God on this man, arrived in Jerusalem. He arrived on assignment “For the gracious hand of his God was on him.” (Ezra 7: 9)
Ezra was a man who was learned in matters concerning the commands and decrees of the Lord for Israel. He was given permission to go to Jerusalem with the blessing of the king. He was given favor with the king, and provided financially from the royal treasury.
- When you are called of God, He provides in many ways.
The king said, “Whatever the God of heaven has prescribed, let it be done with diligence for the temple of the God of heaven.” (Ezra 7: 23)
How’s that for favor for an open door? Ezra praised God for that favor and sought out and gathered men to go with him. A fast was then proclaimed so that “We might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions.” (Ezra 8: 21)
- Fasting, praying, and petitioning our God answers prayers.
So they went with gold, silver, and articles to be taken to the house of our God in Jerusalem. They were protected on their journey and sacrificed unto the Lord. They were joining together to build the house of the Lord.
- How can two walk together without showing hospitality?
Yes, they were on their journey, their journey to return!
(Shared from Ezra 7-8, Modified)
UNBROKEN LOVE SERIES
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