"Love for the Stranger"

"Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you" ~ 3 John 1:5

In the days of the events described in the New Testament, in the first century after Jesus' death and resurrection, the world was hostile toward believers. Some believers around the world may experience similar opposition today, but it's not something we can even comprehend in our free society. While the persecution was awful, one hidden advantage to it was that it forced true believers to band together and help one another. Because we are free and comfortable, we generally design our lives to not have to depend on anyone else. As a result, we are more isolated and pay less attention to others' needs while we manage our own. In the letter we know as 3 John, a man named Gaius was praised for his hospitality to believers, even though they were strangers to him. Christian travelers, being often rejected by society, were dependent on brothers like Gaius to provide lodging and a meal or two. While the needs may not be as obvious today, we must still depend on one another. This week at Friendship, we'll talk about the Biblical mandate to have "Love for the Stranger". What does this mean for our response to the needs of other believers? What does it mean for how we respond to those who don't look, speak, dress, or vote like us? Join us as we address these questions and more!