Soul
Prosperity
Are you as well off physically as you are spiritually?
“Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and
be in good health, just as your soul prospers” (3 John 2).
The consistent message through out the Bible is that we are
sinners and we need a transformed life. We cannot keep the Golden Rule, the
Sermon on the Mount or any of the demands of a holy God. The Christian life
begins with a confession of our failure to live up to God’s holy demands, and
our personal trust in Jesus Christ. It takes a new birth to make us right with
God.
The apostle John sent greetings to a faithful servant of
Christ named Gaius. His wish is for Gaius’ outward prosperity to correspond to
the condition of his soul. Verses 2-6 demonstrate that he was an outstanding man
in his church.
How would you like for your pastor, family and friends to
pray for you with that request? “Lord bless Will and prosper him that he will be
in good health just as his soul prospers.
That would help us get our spiritual and personal
priorities in the right order.
“Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and
be in good health, just as your soul prospers.”
Gaius has a winsome witness in his community. The apostle
could say, “I love in the truth.” He uses the word agapetos meaning “one
who is loved, beloved.” He is a divinely loved person. He occupied a position of
responsibility and leadership in the local church. He also enjoys a close
personal relationship as a Christian friend of the author. Perhaps John led him
to Christ.
The author of this post-card epistle prays in a strong
earnest desire for the prosperity of Gaius in all respects and the thought may
well be of the public and social work of this faithful Christian. He includes a
petition for Gaius’ personal health. It is a common greeting in ancient letters
for the recipient to be in good health.
John prays that Gaius will “prosper,” literally “to have a
good journey.” The idea includes success in business, happiness in personal
relationships, prosperity in his transaction as a Christian.
John prays that God will prosper his friend Gaius in every
area of his life and ministry even as he is spiritually prosperous.
Perhaps Gaius had a physical ailment or was in poor
health and John was praying for restored health. “Lord make Gaius as healthy in
his body as he is spiritually.” The apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthian 4:16,
“Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our
inner man is being renewed day by day."
Gaius had a winsome testimony of God’s saving grace (3 John
3-4). People recognized him as how a Christian ought to live.
Gaius was a man of God’s Word because he “walked in truth”
(v. 4). The truth was “in him” and he walked in obedience to God’s will. Living
truth produces true living. Gaius meditated on God’s Word and allowed it to live
“in him.”
The Spirit of God uses the Word of God to reveal the Son of
God to enable us to obey the will of God. Gaius was that kind of spiritual man.
Gaius’ ministry honored God (vv. 5-8). He helped God’s
servants who ministered the Word in practical ways. He opened his heart and home
to the apostle and those who faithfully preached and taught the Scriptures.
We need more Gaius’ in our churches. I have been the
recipient of Gaius’ hospitality on many occasions in Latin America’s humble
homes. I, too, thank God for Gaius.
And this is my prayer for you Christian friend as you read
this word of encouragement. May the Lord’s richest blessings be yours as you
study His Word and serve Him with all your heart. May you prosper personally
even as your soul prospers.
Selah!
Message by Wil Pounds (c) 2006
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