TO PROSPER SPIRITUALLY

3 John 1-4 The elder unto the well-beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth. Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

Again, the apostle John introduces himself, not as the elder of a specific congregation of God's people, but as the elder in age, and in spiritual wisdom. He addresses this epistle to the well-beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth. A Macedonian, named Gaius, accompanied Paul to Ephesus (Acts 19:29). There was a person named Gaius from Derbe that accompanied Paul from Corinth to Jerusalem (Acts 20:4). While at Corinth Paul baptized one named Gaius (1 Cor. 1:14). More than likely this was the same Gaius that was Paul's host while at Corinth during his second missionary journey. However, it is possible that the beloved Gaius mentioned in the lesson text was neither of those, mentioned above, as having the same name.

Regardless of the true identification ofGaius, we know that he was a Christian that had heard, accepted, and obeyed the truth. It was the apostle John's prayer that he would prosper and be in good health. To desire secular prosperity and good health for others should always be our prayer, especially for those to whom we are physically or spiritually related - our relatives by blood or marriage, as well as our brothers and sisters in Christ. Here, in this epistle, John's prayer was that Gaius would receive God's best physical blessings as he journeyed through life, and that he would receive these blessings to the same degree that thy soul prospereth. What a great complement paid to this Christian saint by the apostle John.

Without a doubt, Gaius was very knowledgeable about the truths found in the inspired word of God. And, no doubt, Gaius exemplified these truths. John rejoiced greatly when those that knew Gaius came to him and testified of the truth that governed his life as a Christian. It was evident from the way Gaius conducted his life, that he was an obedient child of God - a member of the church that Jesus died to establish. It was said that Gaius walked in the truth. What a great testimony! To the elect lady and her children, the apostle John gave a similar testimony of their faith, when he wrote, I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father (2 John 4). Similarly Paul commended the Christians of Thessalonica for their great faith, which resulted in abounding charity (2 Thess. 1:3). Paul also commended Philemon for his love and faith, which was demonstrated toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints (Philem. 5). Also the apostle Paul praised the body of Christ at Colosse for, after having heard the word of the truth of the gospel, they brought forth fruit (Col. 1:4-6).

By inspiration the apostle, John, wrote, in the lesson text, that I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. On many other occasions, Christians, to whom John wrote, were referred to as his children (See 1 John 2:1, 12, 18, 28, 4:4, 5:21). But, more importantly, through obedience to the truths found in God's word, they were also children of God.

After studying the lesson text, every Christian should examine their own life to determine if this commendation could be said of them. Can it be said of you that you walk in truth? Have you thoroughly studied God's word, understand its precepts, and do you steadfastly abide by the truths found in its teaching? Is your life conducted by, and in accord to, the will of God? The earnest hope of every faithful gospel preacher and teacher is that those they taught will always be found walking in truth. This is also the desire of all Christian parents - that their children, wherever they may be found, would continue to always abide in the truths found in God's word.

Spiritual prosperity is the greatest treasure to be found on earth. It is the truths found in the inspired word of God, and the wisdom to apply them to one's life. Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding. The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him. Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice (Prov. 23:23-25). Christian children, bring joy to God, to His Son, Jesus Christ, to all the hosts of heaven, as well as to the righteous preachers, teachers, and parents, that, while here on earth, taught you these truths - walk in them all the days of your life!