The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 2 May 2024 – Christians’ Response To Hospitality
TOPIC: Christians’ Response To Hospitality
READ: 3 John 5-8 (NKJV)
- Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers,
- who have borne witness of your love before the church. [If] you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well,
- because they went forth for His name’s sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles.
- We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth.
THE MESSAGE:
The word ‘Beloved’ kept recurring in John’s letter to Gaius (verse 2 & verse 5), This shows that it was directed to a man that truly deserved it. After praising the general conduct of Gaius, the writer moved directly to a matter that concerned him. Those who went forth to preach the Gospel needed the support of Christians in the places where they travelled. Gaius gave this kind of assistance and the apostle wished to assure him that this action was not in vain (verses 5-6). Gaius’ hospitality did not stop with Christians only, but also extended to non-Christians. At this course of conduct, the apostle declared, “You are faithful in what you are doing” (verse 5a). That is to say, such conduct was praiseworthy because it was an act of fidelity to the truth of God.
Christians must rise up to this task of hospitality. Today, we hear of complaints about how Christians maltreat fellow Christians. It seems hospitality in today’s Church has become old-fashioned but if we are, we will realise that hospitality is a primary responsibility of Christians. The scriptures even pointed out that through acts of hospitality, some people entertained angels unknowingly (Hebrews 13:1-2). Today, God needs more Gaiuses who will stand in gap in the ministry of hospitality. When we do this, unity, love and progress will flood the Church, just as it was in the days of the early Church of the apostles.
PRAYER: “A soul of hospitality is a house of love, peace and liberty”
