As we move into Third John, we find the Apostle writing a short note to a dear friend; praying for him, and commending him on walking in “the truth”. He writes:
“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.” 3 John 1, 2 (NIV)
John’s prayer for his friend Gaius was translated in the King James as: “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.”
I love the fact that the Apostle, who was personally taught by Jesus, wants us to know that taking care of our soul, which shall live forever, is the number one priority on this journey of life. Our Lord indeed wants us to prosper in all things, and be in perfect health to enjoy them, so He told us, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matt 6:33) Our soul -our mind, our will, our intellect, our emotions, (our heart)- can only prosper and be in good health through absolute faith in Christ Jesus.
When we in faith can give our heart to Jesus and invite Him to take charge of our life, our heavenly Father decrees that we are born again in our soul. The old soul, the one who was without God, is gone. It was crucified with Christ when we gave our heart to Him. Our resurrected soul, our born again soul, now with the kingdom of God within, is on the road to a new life. The Holy Spirit has moved into this temple -our body- and the work of sanctification, making us holy, has begun. With that knowledge, we can definitely say, “It is well with my soul.” It is in the hands of the Master Teacher.
Let us give sustenance to our soul with love for the Lord because of His grace and mercy; and through praise, and prayer, and faith in the Word and meditation upon it. Our soul will prosper, and be in good health. So it shall be in our body and our spirit, and all things in life as we live each day in Him.
“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.”
Poppa B.