STUDY TWENTY-SEVEN:
Gaius seems to be a trusted, worthy
friend of John’s, (perhaps, even somewhat of protégé or ‘work
in progress’ project) possibly, for a while… John seems to have seen (because of his devotion to the Lord, and the Lord revealing, so that John will obey!!) the potential in Gaius, (his ‘wellbeloved’
friend) the good God could do for him, & him for God… And, John, here, to me, is writing a congratulatory letter to Gaius, saying ‘well done, old/true friend’ – Because Gaius has done what John had hoped and prayed he might, maybe even John groomed Gaius for this moment – For Gaius has stepped into the Light of our Almighty Father… Even if John, perhaps, did not know Gaius especially, he still writes upon such wonderful news, to share (and/or/both messenger!) God’s love & pride in Gaius, to encourage the man to continue in the Lord’s love (both men are fulfilling their duty, and God’s wishes!)… He tells Gaius that he continues, himself, in the Lord’s love, to care about Gaius’ journey… He says that he still prays for all that Gaius needs to become an active part of his daily
life, to sustain him, because John knows the Lord can make all these things very real for His family! Just as it gives Our Lord such joy to welcome home a family member to His, the heart from which they sprang, & to reward them handsomely for being so brave and true, John’s greatest Joy comes from his service to the Lord, to be a fisherman of men, to reel them in or net them, so that Jesus can lift them into the sparkling light of the Holy Spirit, and kill off their old life! Jesus then lets them go safely in the water of Life, handing them back a new and beautiful life to live, and, telling them to swim, free, as someone whom has been caught, Saved, and set FREE by the Son of God..!!! The word ‘truth’ is mentioned 5 times, ‘true’ once… If you have truly taken those steps to greet the Lord, but still feel insecure – Cast off your insecurity, if you are certain that you are with Him; for it will only be His combatant trying to win you back; telling you that you are unworthy! This is not the truth!!! The truth IS that God loves YOU, and Jesus is a very capable man – He can, and will, set YOU Free!!! Five times is the amount of times, added together, that John refers to Gaius as ‘Beloved’ or ‘friend’, or a friend to all God’s children… John clearly knows and trusts Gaius to be a genuine follower of Jesus, and ALL genuine followers’ of Jesus are John’s dear friends – Even to this day!!! These verses from John tell us that Gaius is in safe hands – They tell us that he is an employee of the Lord’s that Jesus Saved, so that he could find friends’ in the best circles – The circle surrounding the Lord of the Dance..!!! They tell us that although Gaius must be aware of tough times, he will be well-received and received well, because he has allowed the Lord to reign over his life, & told the Lord that the Lord is free to show His love for him!!!