His Word is a Lamp: 2 & 3 John

In 2 John, the Apostle John gave loving instructions on how to walk in love and be discerning as a church, and in 3 John, he wrote a personal letter to a brother in the Lord named Gaius. 


We actually don’t know much about the church he was writing to or specific details about Gaius, other than that Gaius was very much living out his faith. In 3 John 2, John prays that Gaius would be in good health, even as his soul was “getting along well” (NIV). This tells us that Gaius was in a very good place in walking with the Lord and His truth which was resulting in Gaius’ soul being in a good place.


Now, this topic of soul health as Christians could be an entire sermon series (which maybe someday it will be ). But, I would like to offer some observations from John’s writings that I think we would find helpful in this discussion:

1. There is no soul health apart from knowing Jesus. The entire message of the gospels is that our soul is dead apart from Him and only He can bring us from death to life (John 5:24). In love, Christ came to rescue us from death and to give us fullness of life (John 10:10).
2. There is cleansing of our guilt, both for salvation and in our daily walk with Him. We need to walk in with Him (1 John 1:7) and walk with our brothers and sisters in fellowship.
3. We have to confess our sins to Him and not hold them in or keep them to ourselves (1 John 1:8-9), otherwise we make Him out to be a liar and our souls remain in dark places.
4. It is our call, privilege, and personal responsibility to walk in His truth and commandments (2 John 4 & 6).
5. This walking in the truth will show itself in acts of love and service to others in Jesus’ name (3 John 3-6).
6. Our walking in truth will encourage and bless other believers (3 John 3,4, & 6).

What can we say in response to this? I think the Psalmist said it best, “Bless the Lord, o my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name.” Ps. 103:1


Pastor Andy

Reflection Questions

• How would you describe your soul health if someone were to ask you about it today? Why did you answer the way that you did?
• Are there sins you need to confess to Jesus? How are these keeping you from walking in fellowship with Him and other believers?
• Are you personally and sincerely walking (living) in the truth of Jesus? 
• Based on the Scriptures above, what are some ways you can be praying for the people in your life?
  

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