III John  This is a short and personal letter from John to his friend, Gaius, The focus, as in the other two letters that John wrote, is on walking in truth.  "For I was very glad when brethren came and bore witness to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth." (v3)

What joy it brings to us when those we love are following Christ.. "walking in the truth".  We rejoice to witness or to hear others witness of our loved one's faithfulness and love for Christ and for others.  John was so happy to hear that his dear friends were blessing others who had come to preach and teach the Word. 

But, John also has a word for the one who refused his letters.. Diotrephes.  This one was not walking in truth but acting wickedly.  He refused to accept John the apostle!  He forbid others to "receive the brethren".  He put people out of the church for providing hospitality to visiting pastors.

 "Beloved do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God." (v11) 

We need discernment regarding the people we meet.. knowing that some who claim to be Christians.. aren't really walking in the truth.  John also talks about Demetrius.. a man who "has received a good testimony from everyone and from the truth itself.. " (v12)  Do we have a "good testimony"?  When others view our lives.. can they tell we are walking in the truth?  I pray so... 

Father, may the light of Your Truth.. the Light of Christ.. fill our hearts and lives so that He is seen in all we do and all we say. Help us to walk in Your truth.. always, by the power of Your Spirit. Amen.