During this holiday season, as we catch up with friends and loved ones, we are likely to wish them well, and that they have good health, as John does in III John 2. And we rejoice when we hear good news about those we love.

But notice what brings John the most joy: he is most interested, not in his readers’ physical health but in their correct knowledge of God (III John 4). He then rejoices that they have put this knowledge into practice, expressing their love for God by loving and caring for those who spread the truth of Christ (III John 5-8). He is thus much more concerned with his readers’ spiritual health than their physical well-being.

So, what about our own priorities? We often inquire about our loved ones’ physical healing, but how interested are we in their prayer life or their growth in the doctrines of grace? When we make our own New Year’s resolutions this week, how many of them will revolve around diet and exercise, and how many will instead be focused on prayer, study, or service? And when we make our end-of-year financial gifts, how interested are we that the gospel would go forth in our communities and in our world?

So, while we take stock of our waistlines and our time management and our budget, let’s also take a look at our relationship with God, the One Who loved us enough to come into our sinful, broken world, the One Who comes into our sinful, broken lives to heal us with His truth. And in the coming New Year, let’s resolve to draw nearer to Him and to others in truth and love and service.

III John 2-8 (NASB)

2 Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.
3 For I was very glad when brethren came and bore witness to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth.
4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.
5 Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren, and especially when they are strangers;
6 and they bear witness to your love before the church; and you will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.
7 For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles.
8 Therefore we ought to support such men, that we may be fellow workers with the truth.