In Johns third epistle he commended Gaius for helping traveling brethren, such as providing lodging and helping them on their journey, saying. “We therefore ought to receive such that we might be fellow helpers to the truth” (III John 8) KJV/ The NKJV uses the term “fellow worker.” Of course, the truth does not need our help to make it better, or more complete and sufficient, or more acceptable to man. (II Tim. 3:16,17) But it does need our help for other reasons.
It needs our help in our obedience to it. The truth must be received, believed and obeyed. “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized…” (Acts 2:41) The people of Berea received the word with all read-iness of mind … therefore many of them believed.” (Acts 17:11,12) God never forces the truth on anyone. He has provided it, and we must accept and obey it. It is helpless without our positive response to it.
It needs our help in getting it to the lost. Beginning with the apostles, God’s people have been charged with a “Great Commission.” (Matt. 28: 18-20; Mark 16:15-16) It’s not enough just to pass out Bibles. Peo-ple must be taught. We are to “ speak the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15). We must teach the things we have learned to “faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (II Tim. 2:2) The complete message is in need of messengers. The lost need preachers, and preachers must be sent. (Rom. 10:14,15) Otherwise, the truth is helpless. Gaius was a “fellow helper to the truth” in helping those who were teaching it. If we sup-port the teaching with our money, such as missionaries, or simply accompany a teacher in a study, or pro-vide a place for the study, etc. we are helpers of the truth.
It needs our help in defending it. The religious world twists and perverts the truth. (II Pet. 3:16; Gal. 1:6-9) People even believe that you can prove anything by the Bible, and many try to do it. They take passages out of their original context, basing their belief on one or two passages, rather than considering all the Bible says about the subject. They often take literal language to be figurative, and figurative or symbolic as literal. They do not “rightly divide the word of truth.” (II Tim 2:15) They often apply today that which was meant for those who were under the law, or for the miraculous age of the church. The truth needs defending, or else, error results. (Phil. 1:17; Jude 3)
It needs our help in supporting it. We support it with our time, money, prayers and encouragement. When we attend the Bible classes provided by the church, we are helping the truth. When we support the preach-ing of the gospel by being present to hear it and encouraging others to hear it, we are helping the truth. At-tending gospel meetings, Bible lectureships, etc. is helping the truth. Giving out tracts, recommending good tapes and books, and supporting the training of preachers are just a few ways the truth needs our help. Are you a modern day Gaius in being a “fellow helper to the truth?”
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