Hello my Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus,
As we continue our study of 3rd John, we pick up at verse 11. The Apostle, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, is penning a letter of encouragement to a dear Friend that hundreds of years later will also be an encouragement to us who believe in Christ Jesus. He wrote:
“Dear Friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.” (3 John 11)
John had been writing about evil practices by a man, Diotrephes, who had captured the Church congregation, and the havoc that was causing. He then makes a simple and profound statement:
“Do not imitate what is evil but what is good.” He brings a comparison to another man saying,: “Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone – and even by the truth itself. We also speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true.” (3 John 12)
John speaks no further of Demetrius, rather he lets the statement he made stand for itself. That is if the ‘truth’ speaks well of someone by producing that which is good, along with those you can trust endorsing it, that person is who we want to copy and reproduce. John says this person is sent from God to do good things in the body of Christ. This is who we want to rally around. This is the behavior we want to imitate.
We all have role models, let ours be Christ Jesus. When we see Him manifested in people through their actions, and how they live their life, we will see someone that others speak well of. We will see Christ Jesus in them. May we be that person. May we imitate what is good. May we show love, and tenderness, and grace and mercy to those in our lives. May we seek to do what is best for ourselves and for others in our lives by seeking the will and wisdom of Christ for them and for us. God is good. Always.
May we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and our Abba Father, and the sweet Holy Spirit as we walk with Him, and in His love, and desire to be like Him, child of God.
May you be blessed with perfect health, and prosper in all good things, God’s Beloveds.
Poppa B.