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?”