The elder, To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
2Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.
3It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it.
4I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
5Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters,[a] even though they are strangers to you. - P66
John rejoices greatly at the fact that his friend Gaius is faithfully living a lifeof truth. This is clearly shown by his acts of love toward those who are alsolaboring for the cause of Christ. As observed in John‘s letters, to him, truthis synonymous with love. The opposite of love is plain in Diotrephes‘s life.
He denies the truth and, in consequence, is incapable of love. His life ismarked by self-interest and the cutting down of those who labor for truth.
- P68
Jesus taught that we can recognize a person‘s character by observing-thefruit of their lives. We recognize those who are of the truth by the fact thattheir life accords with God‘s commands and love. And this is not just a testto apply to others; it is also how each of us should reflect upon our lives. - P68
Dear Jesus, thank You for Your faithfulness to us. Thank You that we can prayfor and encourage one another to live in Your truth. Help us to honor You inboth truth and love. In Your name, amen. - P69
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