3 JOHN 1:1-2: “The Elder, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth: Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.”

OBSERVATION: Got health? This is a question that becomes increasingly important as you get older. I can remember the days when I lived without even considering my health. I was young and seemingly invincible. Yet, it seems that now wherever I turn the first thing that I think about is my health.

I have faced many health challenges in my life. Twice I faced both illness and accident that threatened my life. I have been in the hospital more times than I would like to remember. This all started when I was a relatively young man. I now live with a constant reminder of my mortality.

Has this been because of a lack of faith on my part?

There are those who take isolated Scriptures and turn them into doctrines that the Bible does not teach. This section from the Epistle of 3 John is such a Scripture. There are those who teach that if we are walking by faith then we are guaranteed divine health and prosperity in all areas of our life. They take John’s phrase – “…just as your soul prospers”, as the key to this promise.

I don’t think John was writing a doctrinal statement when he was greeting his dear friend Gaius. To pull out a personal greeting and formulate a doctrine of health and prosperity is quite a reach. John was merely extending his greeting and prayer to Gaius that God would bless him in every area of his life – just as He was blessing Gaius in his life in Christ, his spiritual life.

I believe we can pray this for each and every believer. Surely health begins with salvation. I believe that all healing is in the atonement. I believe that “…by His stripes, we have been healed”! Yet, all healing is not realized on this side of eternity. We are not promised a mansion in this life and a body that will continue forever. This denies both reality and the truth of the Scriptures.

The Apostle Paul is an example of this truth. He writes in his epistles of his physical and temporal suffering in this life.

“You know that because of physical infirmity, I preached the gospel to you at the first. And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. What then was the blessing you enjoyed? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me.” (Galatians 4:13-15)

“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:11-13)

Paul did not lack faith. Paul was used by God in a healing ministry. Paul had confidence that no matter what he faced he could do all things through Christ who strengthened him. Yet, Paul faced times of physical infirmity and trial and temporal lack and need.

This fact does not negate the promise of healing and prosperity for the believer. It simply puts it into a realistic framework that keeps us from the extreme application of a simple greeting from one friend to another. John wanted the best for Gaius. I want the best for my friends and family. God’s best is healing and prosperity in all areas of our life. One day we will experience the complete fulfillment of this promise as we put on our glorified bodies.

Until then…we walk by faith and not by sight.

When I am faced with a temporal need I pray – “Give us this day our daily bread.” When I am faced with a physical need I pray – “And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up.” God has promised to provide all of our needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Like Paul, I have faced physical infirmity and times of temporal lack. Yet, in all these times God’s grace has been sufficient and the Lord has brought me through them all.

When I am in financial trouble – I pray. When I am in times of emotional turmoil – I pray. When I face physical infirmity – I pray. In all of these trials, there is something that sustains me. It is the presence of Christ in me – the hope of my future glory. The greatest gift of health that I have received is the health of my soul (spirit). As I grow in Christ I naturally walk in His peace and His peace affects every area of my life – body, soul, and spirit. It is my faith in Christ that is the anchor of my soul in times of physical and temporal challenge.

Got health?

Yes! In Christ Jesus, I have the promise of divine health. I have the promise of a sinless life. I have the promise of eternal life. I have the promise of a mansion prepared for me by Jesus Himself. I live now in the tension between the promise and the fulfillment. In this place of tension – I walk by faith. I trust the Father for my daily provision, my mental health, and the healing of my body. I look with hope to the day when this fulfillment comes and I lay all of the present struggles down.

Until then, I pray that God will continue to prosper you and me in all things. I pray that you and I will be in health. I pray that you and I will walk in peace. And, I pray that you and I will continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

There is a glorious day coming! Until it comes – we pray!

“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.” (Revelation 21:4-7)

In Jesus’ Name!