I Pray That You May Enjoy Good Health And That All May Go Well With You

3 JOHN 1:1-4
“The Elder, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth: Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
”‭‭III John‬ ‭1:1-4‬ ‭NKJV‬
‬https://www.bible.com/114/3jn.1.1-4.nkj

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The “Elder” John, is one of the twelve disciples and writer of the book of John, three letters, and the book of Revelation.
This letter gives us a glimpse into the early church. Addressed to Gaius.
John highlights the need for showing respect and hospitality to travelling preachers and other believers. But however, wisdom is needed because looks are deceptive and not everyone saying “Lord, Lord” is of God.
Therefore, we need to test and approve everything we hear, not just from preachers we don’t know, but even those who are popular and well known to one’s local congregation.
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.”
‭‭I John‬ ‭4‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
Today, there are many preachers both in churches and online, some having thousands and thousands of followers, but popularity does not guarantee that what they bring is of God.
Just as their are many Spirit filled preachers and Prophets bringing wholesome teachings and messages, their are also many teachers and false prophets who’s purpose is to lead God’s people from the truth. Furthermore, even Spirit filled teachers and Prophets make mistakes, therefore, we really must test and approve everything we see and hear.
John was concerned for Gaius physical and spiritual health, contradicting the popular heresy that taught the separation of spirit and matter and despised the physical side of life.
Many today, still fall into this way of thinking.
The unbelievers attitude logically leads them to one of two responses: to neglect the body and physical health, or to indulge in the sinful desires of the flesh.
The truth is, God cares for your physical body, your spirit, and your soul.
As a responsible believer, you should neither neglect nor indulge yourself, but should actively take care of your physical and spiritual needs. That is to say, take in healthy food and exercise regularly, both physically and spiritually.
It is easy to understand that if we eat junk food and fail to exercise, we are likely to become overweight and unhealthy.
But the same goes for our spiritual intake. You are what you eat! If you take in inappropriate content from the media and internet, you will become spiritually unfit and the desires of your flesh will drag you into sin.
Thank God for the Holy Spirit, who God sent to help us and lead us to walk in His righteousness (JOHN 14:15-18).
My brethren, we must live a healthy lifestyle; a lifestyle that is balanced physically and spiritually.
We can only do that by living our daily life by the leading of the Holy Spirit in us. We can live our lives “my way”, to satisfy the lust of the flesh, or “God’s way”, by the leading of the Holy Spirit (GALATIANS 5:16-26).
Surely, it is time to put the old man to death, and walk in the new.
There is no longer a place in our lives for vulgar jokes, pornography, sexual immorality, lies and cheating; there is no place for selfish ambitions, or pride.
All these things must be put to death before we can fully experience our new life in Christ.
“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all. Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
We my beloved, are the bride of Christ, and because of His love for us, Jesus died on a cross to pay the debt of His people.
His example is a way of life to be followed in our Christian lives, homes, and the church.
Therefore, just as the church is called to submit to the Lord, “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them. Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭18‬-‭25‬ NKJV
All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.