Fellowhelpers to the Truth

You really ought to take the time to read this little book of III John - if you are going into the ministry you should read it over and over again. We are given here the story of a church, and three of its members. We read about a man named Gaius, who had a good report among the bretheren and among strangers. Then a man named Diotrephes who loved to have the preeminence. And then a man named Demetrius who had a good report of the truth itself. It is, of course John that is writing to this church. It's a great little book.

The key to this epistle, is the phrase in verse number eight, "fellowhelpers to the truth." This phrase, and the principles it implies, has changed my life, and the way I look at ministry.

As John is speaking about Gaius, he says, "Thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers." He says that they had even borne witness of his charity towards them. Gaius had the heart of a pastor. When Paul gave the qualifications for a bishop, he mentions that a bishop must be "given to hospitality." This is what Gaius is known for in the minds of John, the brethren, and strangers - this is the essence of being a fellowhelper.

John, speaking of Gauis' charity to all men, say in verse 6, "Whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well." This is the job of a pastor, or for any Christian who has a heart for their next door neighbor; our life should be a constant sequence of bringing another person along in their journey of meeting the Lord.

John continues and says, "We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth." This is truth that has changed my life. The Lord has put a great desire in my heart to pastor a church. And this changes my outlook into the ministry God will allow me to be a part of. The pastor of any church should be nothing more than a fellowhelper to his members. Being a pastor is about bringing people along in their journey -both strangers and brethren; it is the heart of hospitality.

Diotrephes, the second character of this epistle, was just the opposite of Gauis. His intentions were self-centered, and he refused to receive even John. John said that even more, he prated against him with evil words, and those who would lend a hand - you know be a fellowhelper, yeah he kicked them out of the church. This was Diotrephes, a great example of a Christian. But, the sad thing is, he was probably the pastor of that congregation (he was able to kick people out of the church.)

So the principle is "fellowhelpers to the truth." Let's look at the elements of fellowhelpers.

"BEING"
One of the first things that John says to Gaius is, "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." John, here is commenting on the condition of Gaius' soul. The condition of our soul is the true estimation of our soul. Though Gaius was sick in body, he was stong in soul. Later in the epistle, John says of Demetrius that he had a good report of the truth itself. This is who we are in the eyes of God alone. Demetrius had a good report of the truth. Being a fellowhelper start with BEING, who we are.

"DOING"
John goes on and says that he rejoices to hear that his children are walking in truth. All the actions of his life reflect the truth that is in him. You must first be filled with truth, and then express that in your actions. He says in verse five, "Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers." Our life is made up of actions, let us act faithfully in whatsoever we do.

"Appering"
John says of Gaius that "[the brethren and strangers] have borne witness of thy charity before the church." He says about Demetrius that he, "hath good report of all men." This is the appearance part of being a fellowhelper. I never like it when people say that "it is all about appearance," or "appearance is everything" because its not. But, is is part of being a fellowhelper. Make sure you keep these things in order though. If you ARE not right, you will not ACT right; and if you do not ACT right, you will not appear right.

"HELPING"
This is the final step in the process. Yes I know, it seems backwards. The last step of fellowhelping is helping. But it's true. You will never be able to lead right if you are not right in your own soul, if you are not acting right, and if you are not appearing right. John tells the readers that if we receive the brethren and strangers and bring them along on their journey, after a godly sort, we shall do well. This is the helping part of the story. I think one of biggest keys to helping people is doing it, as John says, "after a godly sort." How do we do this? We lead as we are lead by the Holy Spirit. Stay close to his leading, and familiar with God's word and you will lead right.

If you have the heart to help people, the heart of Gaius, the heart of hospitality, these elements must be present in your life. If you want to be in ministry, don't be like Gaius. Don't be someone who desires the preeminance. Step back and realize that ministry isn't about being elevated to a position of authority or status. It is about being a fellowhelper to the truth.