I first experienced the beauty of the global body of Christ when I traveled from South Africa to Malaysia as a teacher. In that country, with its varying religions and cultural beliefs, I found a spiritual home away from home. From the moment I stepped into the little church down the road, I was warmly welcomed and treated like family. Thousands of kilometers away from where I grew up, I met people with the same spirit and the same love for Jesus.
God places great value on our favorable treatment of believers from outside our local church, and that brings us to Gaius (3 John 1:1-4). This believer had an incredible heart for the greater church. So John commended him for his faithfulness to the truth of the gospel as expressed by his generous care and welcome of traveling teachers (3 John 1:3-6). These men went from city to city, partnering with local churches and teaching them the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ (3 John 1:7-8).
John warned against those who exclude and mistreat believers who come from outside their local church community. Just as we reveal we’re God’s children when we embrace the greater church, so too we can show that we don’t know God when we shun her (3 John 1:11). John’s assumption that Gaius was in good spiritual health is also primarily based on the positive report he received from those who were welcomed by him (3 John 1:3).
There’s nothing quite like traveling to a different city or country and meeting another believer in Jesus. Although our different traditions and interpretations of Scripture may cause some conflict, God longs for us to simply focus on Him as we welcome each other with joy. That’s loving beyond borders!
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Numbers 21:4-9
More:
Read Galatians 6:10 and consider what Paul says about how we should treat other members of the body of Christ.
Next:
Have you created an exclusive club within your local church and excluded believers from the outside? Consider how you can make room for other believers and generously welcome them into your heart and your local church.
Gary Shultz on February 21, 2016 at 6:44 am
It is a warm experience to meet believers in different places and life paths as we travel about. It is also a note of praise that God’s Spirit brings us union in Him. Although I will never travel to all the locations ODJ writers originate from, we still have a bond in these lines, with Christ. One day we will rejoice together. Thank you Ruth.
gagirllive on February 21, 2016 at 7:43 am
Verse 4 of this passage is one of my favorites. I have 4 children and it brings my heart so much joy to see them getting along, loving one another, and walking in the TRUTH. How much more our Heavenly Father must rejoice over us to see that! I, too, have had that beautiful global experience of shared faith as I have traveled to other countries. Sadly, I have found here at home a spirit of exclusivity among denominations as well as other barriers. But what joy it is to feel like family when things are right…a foretaste of heaven. Can’t wait. Thank you for this much needed exhortation, Ruth.
jim spillane on February 21, 2016 at 3:16 pm
To Gary and to all at this forum, I greatly anticipate that time when we all will finally meet, when we will have an eternity to get to know each other. Be blessed and be ready.
Gary Shultz on February 22, 2016 at 9:06 am
Thanks Jim, your probably more kind then you should be; However, even as we chat in these little sections we build a fondness for each other and the spirit longs for the time when we will be able to join in great fellowship with each person we have come to enjoy as well as many we will meet in heaven. Or I could simply say, hey, let’s hang out.