Good or Evil?

Good_Evil_

3 John 1 is a short letter, that describes 3 different people. Their entry in John's letter ensured that they would be remembered for all time. It is a good reminder that what we do is noticed, by God and man, for better or for worse. Lets take a quick look at how these 3 men are described:

Gaius - The Good Friend

  • Dear friend
  • Loved
  • Receives John's blessing
  • Soul getting along well
  • Gives great joy to others
  • Faithful to the Truth
  • Walks in the Truth
  • Counted as John's "child"
  • Faithful to and loves the brothers

Diotrephes - The Dictator/Gossip

  • Loves to be first
  • Ignores the saints
  • Malicious gossip
  • Doesn't welcome the brothers
  • Stops others from welcoming the brothers
  • Puts good people out of the church


Demetrius - Man of Truth

Well spoken of:

  • By everyone
  • By the Truth
  • By John

How would you like to be remembered/recognized? Your actions are an outpouring of your heart, and are what is noticed about you. We may think well of ourselves, but is that how others see us? Is that how God sees us?

Take time to examine how others see you. Accountability partners are a great way to be able to find out what you really look like to others. It may be a painful revelation at first, but once we can see ourselves as others do we can work on getting ourselves where we would like to be.

"Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good"

Prayer:

Lord, Help me see how you see me, and how you would like to see me. Help me close the gap.

Amen.

Screen Shot 2014-08-13 at 8.26.10 AM Rob Gibson | Elder

Rob and his wonderful wife Helen were born in England, married in 1987. They moved to the USA in 1996, where they have lived since in California, Massachusetts, and Texas. They have 6 lovely children, Sarah, Claire, Nic, Laura, Jacqueline and Victoria, all of whom were homeschooled. Rob gave his life to the Lord in 1987, at the same time that Helen rededicated herself. Rob has been on a number of mission trips to Costa Rica, has led vacation Bible schools, soccer ministry, small groups, children’s and youth ministry, acted as lead program manager during the Hutto church plant, and is currently Chairman of the board of Directors at Camp Wilderness Ridge. Rob works at the Sears Call Center as Director of the Technical Solutions Group. Helen is an experienced homeschool mom, and is involved in children’s and small group ministry.

3 John 1 The Message (MSG)

1-4 The Pastor, to my good friend Gaius: How truly I love you! We’re the best of friends, and I pray for good fortune in everything you do, and for your good health—that your everyday affairs prosper, as well as your soul! I was most happy when some friends arrived and brought the news that you persist in following the way of Truth. Nothing could make me happier than getting reports that my children continue diligently in the way of Truth!

Model the Good

5-8 Dear friend, when you extend hospitality to Christian brothers and sisters, even when they are strangers, you make the faith visible. They’ve made a full report back to the church here, a message about your love. It’s good work you’re doing, helping these travelers on their way, hospitality worthy of God himself! They set out under the banner of the Name, and get no help from unbelievers. So they deserve any support we can give them. In providing meals and a bed, we become their companions in spreading the Truth.

9-10 Earlier I wrote something along this line to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves being in charge, denigrates my counsel. If I come, you can be sure I’ll hold him to account for spreading vicious rumors about us.

As if that weren’t bad enough, he not only refuses hospitality to traveling Christians but tries to stop others from welcoming them. Worse yet, instead of inviting them in he throws them out.

11 Friend, don’t go along with evil. Model the good. The person who does good does God’s work. The person who does evil falsifies God, doesn’t know the first thing about God.

12 Everyone has a good word for Demetrius—the Truth itself stands up for Demetrius! We concur, and you know we don’t hand out endorsements lightly.

13-14 I have a lot more things to tell you, but I’d rather not use pen and ink. I hope to be there soon in person and have a heart-to-heart talk.

Peace to you. The friends here say hello. Greet our friends there by name.

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