Note for 20250101 - The Gospel of Jesus Christ - Part 33 - 3 John 1 - Malicious Words

 




The Gospel of Jesus Christ

According to John


Read Through The Bible

“As it Happened” Bible Reading Plan


Day 046

Leviticus 8 to 10


NOTICE

There will no longer be any Daily Notes, voice or text, on Saturdays. Please use Saturdays to catch up or for a deeper personal study of The Word, as guided by The Holy Spirit.

Part 33 - 3 John 1 - Malicious Words


The Audio Version of today’s note


3 John 1:1-14 KJV

[1] The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth. [2] Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. [3] For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. [4] I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. [5] Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers; [6] which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well: [7] because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. [8] We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth. [9] I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. [10] Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church. [11] Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God. [12] Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true. [13] I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee: [14] but I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.


https://bible.com/bible/1/3jn.1.1-14.KJV


Note for 20250101


This brings us to the end of John's testimony of Jesus Christ, but we really should include the Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ to John on the Isle of Patmos. But, we have just recently read it, and the series on Revelation is available to you in Audio form, for as long as SoundCloud will allow it to remain on their platform. 


Listen to The Revelation Playlist by House of Bread, a playlist by The House of Bread on #SoundCloud

https://on.soundcloud.com/AgKDJhYRsvRmWZeL8


What have we learned from the testimony of the Disciple that Jesus loved? It is just too much to recite here by heart. The words brought to us by John, is a treasure chest for the believer in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.


Today, however, in our conclusion of the Word that John presented to us; we look at this one last matter, which is speaking malicious words against others, especially of course, if that be said against a brother or sister in the faith, or worse an elder and apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ.


Did we not learn in the Sermon on the mount that speech like that can be likened to murder? What is it then to bring the reputation of another into question, or worse to spread false reports of another? It is a defamation of character, and as far as I know, still a crime in many countries, where the offender can be prosecuted in court. But, the real concern with this transgression is not how mankind will judge you, but how Christ might look at it, seeing that His instruction to us was to love one another. And of course, that opens a can of worms, since there is much that brings charge against us in the court of heaven. For our consideration today, is the harm that gossip can bring, which I will equal to slaying a man's character. And yet, is this a common practice amongst mankind, and a product of hate and envy.


Here in this letter to Gaius, John writes that Diothrephes prevented the message of John from reaching the church. But it didn't stop there, he prevented the messengers, and who would receive them; those he cast out of the church. By their fruit shall you know them.


Now, what can we learn about this in application in our own lives? Who do we prevent from being heard, especially of those that bring the message of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ? Did John not write to us in 1 John 5, to try the spirits if it be of GOD? Now how shall you try them without hearing them? Do we reject the message because it does not measure up to what we want to hear, or do we try it against the Word of GOD? What is soothsaying? What is it to bring a message that speaks to itching ears? Is it not written of our generation that we would not follow sound doctrine? Is that not warning enough, or shall we give ourselves over to all manner of speech that excuse our behaviour and puffs us up higher than we ought to think of ourselves? What has happened to humility? Or, shall we continue on in vainglory? What is that self-check and self-control, if it is based on a debased morality? What is correction, if it is based on a false doctrine? What is a gospel taught, if the parameters are set by the courts of men, swayed by the democratic system where those on the Broadway wins? Shall social-political norms determine what the Gospel of Jesus Christ is? When did Christ Jesus become subject to man's laws and man's opinions? Have we lent out our ears to those who bring malicious words about GOD Almighty and His Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ? Shall the laws of man determine what salvation is? Shall they determine who is worthy of salvation, and override the instructions of Christ Himself? Remember, we struggle not against flesh and blood, where is your armour at?


Oh, friends! There is much more to be said, like on the matter of taking the Lord's name in vain; but, I will restrict myself from saying more here right now. The Holy Spirit testifies in those who belong to Christ, not? And of iniquity, we know that that anti-Christ spirit will continue until the Lord Himself puts a stop to it. 


Malicious words should not be in the mouth of a believer, it does not belong there. It is counter spirited. It is a vocalized hate. Is it spoken against GOD, or those who GOD so loved that He sent His only Begotten Son? What of Matthew 25:40, whatsoever ye have done unto the least of these, my brethren, ye have done unto Me? I have this question for you; do you still think it okay to voice your wide opinions about one another now?


In closing, was Diothrephes among those of the churches back then? If then, this spirit was at work in the church, do you think that he has had more practice since then? Come out of the ways of this world less you share in her plagues. Follow sound doctrine, that can be found in the Word of GOD. Stop all this running after vainglory and prosperity in this world. We are in this world but not of it. GOD determines the measure of our meat each day. Shall you precondition the message, so you may gain more favor in the sight of men, with the hope of profit in a wicked system? Malicious Words are those spoken that bring harm and robbery. Might Christ find faith when He returns, or will He weave a whip, chasing us out and overturning the tables of the money changers in His Zeal for the House of His Father?


If we blind ourselves from the message of Good Hope, the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ; how shall we survive the judgment seat of Christ? Jesus instructed us to love one another, and mankind sows hate.


My friends, be careful of what falls out of your mouth, for by it you can speak life or death. Bridle your tongues by the Love of GOD.


"Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do. Amen"


Selah Shalom.


PS: Please note, that text on social media is much as if it was said in person.


The House of Bread


Verse of The Day

From the YouVersion Bible App


Isaiah 43:18-19 KJV

[18] Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. [19] Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. 


https://bible.com/bible/1/isa.43.18-19.KJV


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