August 20 | Bible in a Year: Psalms 105-106; 1 Corinthians 3

Our Impact on Others

Believers . . . testified about your faithfulness to the truth. 3 John 1:3

READ 3 John 1:1-8

When Dr. Lee, my Bible College lecturer, noticed that Benjie would be late in joining our lunch gathering, he quietly set aside a plate of food for him. As my classmates and I talked, Dr. Lee also quietly placed the last slice of rice cake on a dish for him—adding some grated coconut as a delicious topping. This kind act of an eminent theologian was one of many—and what I consider an overflow of Dr. Lee’s faithfulness to God. Twenty years later, the deep impression he made on me remains.

The apostle John had a dear friend who also left a deep impression on many believers. They talked about Gaius as one who was faithful to God and the Scriptures, continually walking in “the truth” (3 John 1:3). Gaius showed hospitality to travelling preachers of the gospel, even though they were strangers (v. 5). As a result, John said to him, “They have told the church about your love” (v. 6). Gaius’ faithfulness to God and to other believers in Jesus helped further the gospel.

The impact my teacher had on me and the impact Gaius had in his day are powerful reminders that we can leave an impact on others—one that God can use in drawing them to Christ. As we walk faithfully with God, let’s live and act in a way that helps other believers walk faithfully with Him too.

By Karen Huang

SCRIPTURE INSIGHT

Third John is a personal letter from “the elder” (1:1)—whom most scholars say is the apostle John—to Gaius. Gaius was a member of the church (most likely in Asia Minor) whom John commended for faithfully opening his home to “traveling teachers who pass through, even though they are strangers to you” (v. 5 NLT). In contrast, John confronted Diotrephes, a proud and self-important person in the church, who was motivated by self-love and selfish ambition, and opposed hospitality toward itinerant (traveling) teachers (vv. 9-10).

Offering hospitality was a key concern because inns were unsafe and few in number. Paul urges us to “always be eager to practice hospitality” (Romans 12:13 NLT). The word for hospitality used here (philoxenia) means “love to strangers.” Peter encourages us to “continue to show deep love for each other . . . . Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay” (1 Peter 4:8-9 NLT).