1 John 3:5-6, “Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers, as they are, who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God.” ESV
“Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever work you do for the brothers, and are doing this though they are strangers; and they bore witness to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.” LSB
When I grew up in Northwest Iowa, our local newspaper would print who went to whose house for dinner (which we call lunch) over the weekend and was primarily done on Sundays after church. Family gatherings became news for the community as everyone knew everyone else. My hometown had about 10,000 people in its population. People would drop in to visit one another, and bars, cookies, or just Ritz or Club crackers were always served along with coffee or tea for adults and orange pop (soda for us Californians) or similar drinks for children. Hospitality was a common practice of living back then, and one needed to be on good behavior in case your doorbell rang, and you had company unexpectedly that could hear (during warm seasons) through the front screen door of the house conversations going on.
John gave words of affirmation in acknowledging his friend Gaius for his hospitality to traveling gospel preachers. Also, for his faithfulness in the love he showed others, and steadfastness in maintaining his integrity for walking in the truth (verse 3). What a compliment to receive. Gaius must have been an example of thinking more of other’s needs than just his own. I see him as having nurturing qualities in his personality. He would be the one that would ask, “How did your day go today? How can I help you? Would you like one of these cookies?” I see him as being the expert in knowing the right questions to ask of others to understand them better. He wanted to bless others and used his spiritual gifts faithfully to serve others.
What words of truth from God’s Word do you need to faithfully walk in today and hear? This week mine are: “My God knows my name.” Isaiah 43:1, and Colossians 3:23-24, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Jesus Christ.” Then Psalm 91:11, “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all his ways.” And Romans 8:28, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” I have needed these faithful words of truth from God’s Word to protect my thoughts and walk in these truths.
Be faithful in the spiritual gifts and talents God has given you to serve others. Showing hospitality is one way to serve the body of Christ. Hebrews 6:10 states, “For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.” Sometimes, someone just needs to receive a warm smile and be asked, How are you doing? What can I pray for you about? Behind their forced smile could be a hurt that they need someone to ask about and listen to. Ask the Holy Spirit who you could minister to when in a gathering. Ask Him who feels lonely so that you can help cheer up a hurting soul. Don’t miss out on how God can use you to show hospitality. It won’t make today’s media outlets, like I had in my hometown newspaper, but God will bless your efforts to serve others in a manner worthy of God. That faithful thing you do God will bless.
Listen to Michael W. Smith – King of Glory ft. CeCe Winans, lyric video.