The Apostle John penned his 3rd John letter to his friend Gaius about a serious problem that had to be addressed: “I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us. So when I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, spreading malicious nonsense about us. Not satisfied with that, he even refuses to welcome other believers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church” (3 John 1:9–10. Read more - see blog post).
Q: Should weird group politics like that (if you happen to encounter them..) ever make you want to bail out on a healthy local church, or from your relationship with Christ? Absolutely NOT! He's never let us down! We should want to walk more maturely, biblically, and even closer to/with Christ. Yes, and be on fire for Him all the more. The watching world needs to see Jesus in us!
Walking faithfully in truth (3 John 1–4). What could church folk see in the life of Gaius? A faithful walk with Christ. They could see Jesus in him. It was because he loved the truth and Him who is truth more than everything and everyone else. He faithfully walked in obedience to God’s living word thus glorifying God, and this brought great joy to the Apostle John. Every Christian parent can echo verse 4 and even fervently make it a sincere prayer.
Working faithfully for truth (5–8). When you come alongside to assist, edify and encourage God’s servants at church or elsewhere, you become a fellow worker with the saints in spreading the truth. Christian hospitality was important in those days and it’s even more important in our day with so many more living on this planet. Let’s be revived from the Word nad revive true hospitality.
Welcoming faithfully the truth (9–10). Godly leaders are indeed humble, selfless, compassionate, but they also (valiently, diligently, ferociously) seek to protect God’s flock and others even. “Love.. always protects.” The ungodly are puffed up and often walk in foolish presumption. Can you imagine Diotrephes rejecting a message from the apostle John and those he sent! The “church-boss” was too “separated” — not from the world’s system, but so that he would not even receive John’s friends. When we welcome God’s people, we welcome God’s truth and honor the Lord.
Man, what was up with this self-exalted boss?
- he (Diotrephes) loves to be first;
- he refuses to welcome the apostles into the church;
- he maliciously spreads gossip about men of God;
- he withholds hospitality from other believers;
- he requires others to follow his poor example; and
- he excommunicates anyone who crosses him.
This sin is to be hated, but not the one who commits this sin. It’s sad when this serious weirdness happens in any local church. It’s even more sad when many churches aren’t clear-thinking and willing enough to face it and deal with this head-on.
 |
| Come to Christ as you are..willing to be changed. knowGod.org |
How can I recognize a healthy church?
What does it mean to be godly ..like even in the home as a father?
What does it mean to be a godly mother?
What does the Bible say about being a godly person?
What does it mean to be a godly husband at home?
What are the duties of a real elder in a local church?
Can restoration occur after a pastor has been caught in a fleshly scandal?
What is the biblical pattern of church leadership?
Why are some Christian leaders egotistical and then caught in scandals? Glad my pastor has not been. Does Satan tempt and attack Christian leaders more than ordinary Christians? Let's all guard our hearts and minds?
"Let's be straightforward with strangers as well as kind. The traits of a skilled-con-man seem to appear the same to me -- trustworthy, believable, and they're so charming. How else could they be effective in conning otherwise? It takes street smarts from the Lord to discern if you're being conned. Live wise in the Lord." ~ Liney von S.
