“Dear friend, you are acting faithfully in whatever you do for the brothers and sisters, especially when they are strangers” (III John 5, Christian Standard Bible).
Third John, from which the above verse is taken, is a small book of only fourteen verses and addressed to a believer named Gaius. We know little about Gaius, which seems to have been a common name in that time. The New Testament records the name in five places, but they did not refer to the same person. Even though John did not write much about him, it is enough to get a sense of his character. He was a good man, faithful and hospitable. John recognized this.
- He was beloved (verse 1)
- His soul prospered (verse 2)
- He walked in truth (verses 3-4)
- He acted faithfully (verse 5)
When we read the Bible, we immediately recognize certain “main characters” in the narrative—Peter, Paul, John, and a few others. Yet even those men were not “super stars” playing to the masses. They, along with others less known such as Gaius, were just faithful people serving God to the best of their ability. The church today is much the same. Many, if not all, of those dedicated people do not see anything extraordinary in what they do. It’s how they live life and serve God. Those seeking “stardom” eventually reveal their true character.
Faithfulness is a wonderful character trait. It’s the kind of people we desire to have as a friend because we know we can count on them in the good times and the bad. They are reliable, constant, staunch in upholding their beliefs, and show integrity all they do. They are consistent, whether the task is great or small. They are faithful to use whatever talents and abilities God has given them.
Luke 16:10 describes them this way:
“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much” (English Standard Version).
For the child of God, faithfulness should be a given. After all, it is one of the nine attributes of the fruit of the Spirit as listed in Galatians 5:22-23. If our life is truly controlled by the Spirit, we are faithful.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law” (ESV).
Prayer: Lord, I want to live my life in such a way that I honor you with my faithfulness. Let the fruit of the Spirit be evident in my life, for that will enable me to do more for You. Whether You bless me with little or much, I want to be a good steward of Your blessings. Make my life count for things of the kingdom.
(Additional passages to read: I Corinthians 4:2; Proverbs 28:20; I Timothy 1:12; Matthew 25:21; Colossians 3:17.)
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