#676 – Faithful Gaius

The elder,

To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth.

Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. – 3 John 1:1-4

I don’t think that John was writing to Gaius Baltar, though that would help substantiate Battlestar Galactica’s claim that the survivors of the 12 Colonies landed on our planet and mated with our ancient ancestors. John was, however, writing to a fellow Christian brother who had stayed faithful to God.

I love this passage because it highlights the reality that we are encouraged by the faithfulness of others. It’s discouraging when we see people walk away from their faith. Conversely, though, we can be encouraged when we see friends and family stay faithful over the years.

This is especially true in student ministry. I’ve been working with students for 14 years and I’m never more encouraged than when I see old students still walking with the Lord. I understand how John felt when he thought about Gaius. I love when people stay faithful because I know it isn’t easy, especially for students who graduate from high school and move away to college.

It’s obviously great for us personally to stay faithful to God. When we remain true to God we live the best lives possible. However, our faithfulness doesn’t just impact us. God can use our faithfulness to encourage others that we may never know about.

How have you been encouraged by the faithfulness of others?