As Your Soul Thrives, So Be In All Things

Study: #720–Church in the Houses From: March 27 to April 2, 2012

TOPIC: “As Your Soul Thrives, So Be In All Things" 3 John 1: 1-4 The brother Gaius is a believer whom the Apostle John wrote this letter. John directs the letter calling him "the beloved", "whom I love in truth." The truth revealed by God through His gospel is the sphere in which existed and flourished mutual love of these two men. It is most likely that Gaius owed John his salvation, being the Apostle the instrument in the hands of God to bring the message of life. In this way, Gaius had a debt to John for his conversion to the Lord. We can see that John was that man who answered the call of God becoming a believer always ready to love, living from place to place, seeking those who had to be saved. There is nothing greater on this earth than to LOVE! It is as if John had said in his letter: "The elder, to my dear friend." For John, Gaius was a brother whom he loved dearly. The apostle recommended Gaius to the other brothers. He did so because Gaius was a true believer with an honorable behavior and testimony. Therefore, it was an honor and a satisfaction for John, the elder, to have a son in the faith like Gaius. To win souls is to reach that life that Jesus wants to reach. And I ask myself: Who is that brother whom we have to win, to love and watch over so that his soul will not stagnate? I do not think finding that person represents a problem; the great problem is being always alert in the Lord so that his soul will not stagnate or deteriorate. Gaius was a man of great love. When John refers to him he says: "The elder to Gaius the beloved." Gaius was a man who allowed himself to be loved, who loved just the same way, he always had the doors of his house and his heart opened for the brothers in the faith. For that reason, John called him "beloved", it is the same as "dearly”, “someone dearly loved”. Nowadays for many reasons, the door is not open to anyone. Now, think, to whom do you open the doors of your home to receive and lodge with all your love. Nowadays, no one is offered to be lodged, the main reason is because of the meaness that exists. No one gives of what they have to others because they think that later they will not have enough money. They use as an excuse that they "are broke." Nevertheless, they live very well, almost as millionaires. To receive someone in your home or in your life is not permitted, but for cars, houses, etc., there is money. Gaius’s heart prospered and just the same everything else went well, because his heart was generous to love, to be loved and to give of what he had received. But, poor of those souls who have not prospered today! The soul of many Christians have not prospered, they have remained in the darkness of their personal ambitions. Where are the "Gaius’s" of these times? The love of many Christians has grown indifferent. John said to him: "beloved", "dear." Think of someone today who you can call “beloved” or “dear” as John did with such great sense. John was able to do so with Gaius, his interest for his own was the physical health and more importantly the spiritual health.

Everyone’s body becomes ill and there isn’t anything that worries us more about the person we love than his health. It’s what we do with sister Glenda, so she will be careful when eating sweets, snacks and other things. When we see someone like sister Rubria from Mega Zoe in Valencia, to see her arrive at the temple after receiving chemotherapy and to hear her say that she wants to work for God, this is something that moves us and causes us to worry about her health. We have to watch and realize things. Nowadays people live in coldness and so calculated. They live for themselves! That is why, my brother, IF YOU DO NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE, HOW LITTLE WILL BE DONE AND OBTAINED! It is sad to say, but, is it not true that we care more for our bodies than our souls? Someone said that it would not be desirable to express John’s desire to all our friends, "as your soul thrives, so be in all things," because if the health of their bodies corresponded to the health of their souls, most likely they would suddenly fall as victims of illnesses. In John there was much joy because of the truth that was in Gaius, and also knowing that his spiritual son was walking in the truth. The truth of God goes beyond what the world thinks. It is the knowledge of the word that fills the mind of a person and the charity or love that captivates his life. The divine truth is what makes a person think and act as God intended. That truth of God makes the soul prosper. Do not let your soul die when you devote yourself more to feed your body. Your soul needs to grow in love, and not grow in selfishness. Your soul has to grow in hosting others, to love them, and not close the doors to those who have needs. Your soul has to grow in concern for others, you cannot only think about your body. This is the truth that should be in you, to think and act as God intended for our lives. Evilness grows and love grows cold, but we are asked to do just as the brother Gaius did, to walk in the truth, to have charity, and may the love captivate our lives. Amen.