3 John 3 KJV
[3] “For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.”
I heard a preacher say years ago, “you cannot win every battle, everybody and every brother”. I think this is a statement that has proven to be true in my life. In regard to the brethren, there are some that, seemingly, can never be satisfied. We go crazy trying to please them, or meet their standard of approval. When I make these statements I am not talking about lowering our standards of dress, music, or doctrinal beliefs. That is the route most are headed when they start using this type of terminology. I’m just saying, sometimes you have to divorce yourself from public opinion and live for God.
On the other hand, our verse teaches that we are accountable to the brethren, to a degree. The reason is because our spiritual wellbeing is at stake. It was the brethren that delivered the report to the apostle concerning the beloved Gaius. Paul rejoices because it was reported that he is still walking in truth.
In a day when so called preachers, and churches, want to act as if there is no moral, or doctrinal obligation to each other, we must keep a good testimony. Your testimony among the brethren does matter! The report that circulates about you should not be one of compromises, but that you are still walking in truth.
Just as the report encourages the apostle in our text, it could have discouraged him to have heard he had become a casualty. We should feel a responsibility to carry on the principles, doctrines and standards of those faithful men, and women, who have taught us and gone on before us. I think of the words of the old song, “May all who come behind us find us faithful”. By the grace of God be consistent in where you walk and stand. What the brethren say about you should matter, because it will either cause people to rejoice or weep.