3 John 2-4 – 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.

The apostle John makes it clear that he wants Gaius to prosper not only financially, but also physically (health) and spiritually (his soul). Good health physically is wonderful to have, and many of us didn’t appreciate it until we lost it. However, it is important to have good health spiritually. What physical health is to the body, holiness is to the spiritual life of the believer. To be healthy spiritually is holiness, it is to be growing in the grace and in the knowledge of Christ. John had no greater joy than to hear that his friends were growing in the truth of God’s word. It really is great to hear about someone that gets saved and places their life and trust in the Lord’s hands. But the very next thing is to pray so that person continues in the faith and grows in the ways of the Lord Jesus Christ. What good is it if someone surrenders today only to go back to their old ways tomorrow? Christian faith is a constant process of stripping away the ways of the world and putting on the things of godliness and holy living.

Challenge:

Are you growing stronger in the understanding of God’s word? Are you making determined efforts to transform your mind to think more godly and less fleshly? If you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, that is wonderful news! Now you must be committed to adding to your faith moral excellence. (see 2 Peter 1:5–8). You cannot coast as a Christian in your spiritual walk with God. You must always be growing in and learning about your Savior Jesus. Just as you feed yourself everyday physically, you must feed yourself spiritually with the ways of the Lord. Your challenge this week is to make a list of things you would like to see changed in your life or ways that you would like grow spiritually. Then pray over the list and ask God to help you, one by one, work on making those changes so you will live a life that honors God and honors His word. Perhaps you need greater faith to trust in the Lord? Maybe you want to be a better follower of Jesus so you can be a stronger witness for Him? Whatever is on your list, God will help you because He wants you to shine bright for Him. God bless.