Good versus Evil is a very popular theme in television shows and movies. Usually there is the good guys verses the bad guys, and in most shows the good guys win. John the apostle understood the difference between good and evil, and he uses it as a reference while sharing with his well-beloved Gaius to whom the book of Third John is addressed. In verse eleven of Third John, we read the reasoning behind John's words of correction for one named Diotrephes who arrogantly and pridefully loved to have the preeminence within the church so much that he would not be hospitable to any itinerant teachers who traveled his way. John encourages Gaius in this manner:
Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that does good is of God: but he that does evil has not seen God.
Notice once again John's affectionate attention toward Gaius. He calls him “Beloved”. John lovingly shares his instruction with Gaius, and since the instruction is so important, beginning his words with “Beloved” probably helped Gaius receive John's words in a better frame of mind.
Next John counsels Gaius to “follow not that which is evil, but that which is good”. This is a great instruction for all of us. We should not be about the things that are evil. Sometimes there is an unhealthy interest in evil things, and the Christian should not be a part of them. We should rather be about things that are good. Good thoughts, good ways, good ideas, and good plans should be part of our lives rather than the interests of evil things.
In addition his instruction John gives the reason that we should not follow evil things and should follow good. John said, “He that does good is of God: but he that does evil has not seen God.” Herein lies a determinant as to whether a person has seen God or not. A person that does good things is of God. A person that does evil things has not seen God at all. Remember the reference in context in this verse is that Diotrephes would not do good to the traveling prophets. The inference John is making is that Diotrephes has not seen God at all, and remember, Diotrephes was “preeminent” in the church.
We should all be about following and doing good things, and usually those good things are for others, not just ourselves. Selfishness, pride and arrogance were the traits that were motivating Diotrephes, and these are not good nor godly traits. They are prone to evil, and John makes it very clear that if a person is participating in evil things, he or she has not seen God.
Perhaps today's verse encourages us all to examine our lives and see whether we have been following and doing good. Our greatest example of good behavior was in Jesus as recorded in the book of Acts in chapter ten and verse thirty-eight:
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
May we all aspire to be as our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Next time we will take a look at what John has to say about another man in the church named Demetrius, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow...there is more...
Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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