3 John 1:9-15

I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority.  So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church.  Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.  Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true.  I had much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink.  I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.  Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends, each by name.

Examples can be both positive and negative.  We can learn from both.  At times we will be learning what not to do and at others the lesson will teach us something to do.  John point to two contrasting examples from which we will do well to learn.

THE REJECTION OF EVIL: There is a certain way that believers are expected to live.  John has repeatedly called the followers of Christ to love one another.  Diotrephes is a polar opposite of that commandment. Instead of loving others, he loves to put himself first.  John sees this as rebellion against his authority and inconsistent with the call of Christ.  The problem is that all of us have this same natural tendency toward self-promotion.  But this guy takes it to a different level by speaking evil of John and his followers.  He does not practice hospitality towards missionaries and itinerate evangelists but goes beyond that to threatening members who do receive them with church discipline.  This is gross insecurity and a level of evil in a leader that we must soundly reject.  It certainly seems that the person who somehow ascended into leadership of a church has truly never really “seen God.”  

THE IMITATION OF GOOD:  In contrast to the example above, we have Demetrius who is described as someone who has been well spoken of by everyone around him, John and his followers, as well as from truth itself.  These seems to indicate a submission to the Word of God and the commandments of Scripture that is evident to all who come in contact with him.  This is exactly the kind of reputation to which every believer should aspire.  He demonstrates that He knows God and has spent time with Him through prayer and His Word.  Would others be able to say the same of us?

THE EXPRESSION OF LOVE: Despite their being serious problems in the leadership of the church to whom John writes, He loves them.  He longs to be together with them so they can speak face to face.  I certainly wish John had used more paper and ink as it would be a blessing for us to know more of his thinking.  Clearly, this is what the Spirit intended for us to have.  When we love others, we want to be with them, we greet them warmly when that is not possible.  Perhaps the greatest expression of live is to pray for people and to ask for God’s peace to be evident in their lives and experienced in their hearts.

APPLICATION: We must recognize and repent of our natural tendency to want to be first.  Be hospitable and encourage hospitality in the lives of others.  Obey God’s Word in such a way that others will testify of it work in our lives.  Love each other well through warm greetings and prayers for peace.