Three Hearts in Third John (Part 1)

It is interesting to read through the books which the apostle John wrote. In every book we see at least one heart pictured. In fact, one could say that John was a heart specialist. In the gospel account written by the apostle John, we see the heart of the Christ who was willing to sacrifice Himself for all mankind. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend” (John 15:13). In the book of first John we have the opportunity to see the hearts which Christians are to have toward God and Christ. “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15). “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous” (1 John 5:2-3). It also teaches the heart we should show to each other. “In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. …My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:10, 18). 2^nd John shows a picture of a “stable heart” as he writes to an “elect lady.” “I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.” (2 John 1:4). In all of his works, we see a change in the heart of John. “And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?” (Luke 9:54). It is interesting how one of the greatest focuses within his writings is that of love. We now call him “the apostle of love.” 3 John has something special. It shows a picture of three different hearts. One of these hearts may be the one have because our attitudes define where we are spiritually.

As we go through this study, we must all ask ourselves, “Is this my heart?”

False Alarms

It was one of the most pleasant dreams imaginable. Imagine, for one moment, a beautiful field. This field is covered in a blanket of flowers of all varieties. In the distance, you heard the sound of a bird chirping. A gentle breeze blows against your back as the sun wraps its arms of warmth around you. For one moment you are at peace with the pristine picture of paradise for at least one person when the permanent pulsing of the color read permeates your being. This happened to me one night while in Pigeon Forge, TN. I was there with many other members of the church for a winter retreat. It was around three in the morning when the sound of an alarm woke my roommate and me from our slumber. It was a loud piercing sound but was not the alarm clock set off as a prank. Instead, it was the fire alarm within the room going off. There was a moment of panic at first as I thought the hotel or at least our room was on fire. Thankfully, it was not. After a phone call to the front desk we realized this was just a false alarm, fixed the alarm, and went to sleep.

False alarms are dangerous things. They put individuals into a needless panic over something that never comes to pass. It also wears away at an individual until he or she believes that someone is “crying wolf” and refuses to believe it when the truth is staring at them. One of the most famous false alarms that is all too prevalent within our society is the idea that Jesus Christ is coming at a specified date. Throughout history men have claimed that Christ will return at a certain time and date with no results to show forth from it. One of the most famous instances occurred a few years back when Harold Camping claimed that Christ would return on May 21^st and then October 21^st. Deuteronomy 18:22 comes to mind. This may seem as a spoiler alert but it (as of this writing) January 23^rd, 2014. It never came to pass. Yet many individuals went into a panic. Far too many either put themselves into immense debt or wasted the college fund of their children in order to do “last minute things” here on earth. A false alarm hurt those who listened in a number of ways. These false alarms will also cause others to mock and scoff at the idea of it ever coming.

What should we do instead of following after false alarms? First, we need to remember the words of Christ. “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” (Matt. 24:36). When someone sounds the alarm saying that Christ is returning on a certain date, remember that no man knows and will never know the exact date. We ought to remember that Paul wrote to the congregation at Thessalonica saying that we do not need to know. “But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.” (1 Thess. 5:1-3). There was no need for Paul to write concerning the “times and seasons” of the return of Christ (cf. 1. Thess. 4:13-18). He reminds these brethren that the return of Christ will be like a thief in the night who comes when is least expected. He also compares it to the pregnant woman suddenly giving birth. Those who are pregnant know they will, Lord willing, give birth to a healthy child. They do not know exactly when. Since the date of His return was not important and since it will come at a moment which is unexpected, what should the Christian do? Be prepared for His return. “Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.” (1 Thess. 5:6). If one is prepared, a false alarm will never be cause for panic.

Where Do You Want to Die?

Have you ever had a conversation with someone of how you want to die? Believe it or not discussions of how and where one wants to die are more prevalent than one would think. There is usually one joker who claims, “I want to die in my sleep as my grandfather did. I do not want to go out like the three screaming passengers in his vehicle.” While the focus of this conversation tends to be on how one wants to die (who wants to die a painful or premature death?), the focus should be on where one wants to die, not how. “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.” (Rev. 14:13). It should be the hope of mankind to die “in Christ.”

·         All spiritual blessings are found in Christ Jesus (Eph. 1:3).

·         Remission of sins is only found in Christ Jesus (Eph. 1:7).

·         There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ (Rom. 8:1).

·         The saints/sanctified are only found in Christ (1 Cor. 1:2).

·         Salvation is only found in Christ (Acts 4:12).

The Bible tells man how an individual can be placed “in Christ.” “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?” (Rom. 6:4). It also speaks of where we need to be in order to be “in Christ.” “And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.” (Eph. 1:22-23). Those who are currently in Him are to walk after the example He left (1 John 2:6).

Where do you want to die? Hopefully, you want to die “in Him.”

Thought of the Week: Hiding Sins

There is danger in trying to hide your sins. All one needs to do is look to the example of David to see that great truth. He tried to hide his sin with Bathsheba and look where that got him. Not only was he an adulterer but he ended up becoming a murderer as well. Why? He tried to hide his sins instead of confessing them before God.  Later, Solomon, his son, wrote, “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” (Prov. 28:13). It seems like David learned a valuable lesson and passed it to his son. Man has nothing to gain by trying to act as if his sins never occurred but there is great gain with facing them, bringing them before God, and seeking His mercy and forgiveness.

Three Hearts in Third John (Part 5)

Heart of Hate

“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” (3 John 1:10). John would remember the things which Diotrephese was guilty of doing. Diotrephese spoke against John and those who were associated with him. He used “malicious words” as he did it. That means he said things which would be used to try and destroy the character of John. He was not contend with just using slander against John. While Gaius had a heart which would help those traveling missionaries, Diotrephese refused to allow these individuals into his home. He also forbad others from committing such an action. Those who did not listen were cast out of the congregation.

Is this My Heart?

“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.” (3 John 1:11). He tells Gaius not to follow in the example that Diotrephese is leaving. Do not follow that which is evil but rather follow that which is good. “And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory” (Is. 6:3). God is the one who deserves the glory, praise, and honor. It does not belong to man. “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence” (Col. 1:18).