Who Are You Following?

¹¹Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
-Third John 11 (KJV)

The letter of 3 John is probably one of the most personal letters in Scripture. Written from John to a man named Gaius, it's full of encouragement for Gaius and warnings against following those who do evil. Let's look at it.

Verses 1-8, John is revealing that he has heard much about the faith of Gaius, and how he has shown it towards other Christians. Verses 9-10 reveal words of warning against someone in the church named Diotrephes, who was someone who loved to have the place of prominence in the church. He spread gossip and refused to welcome other Christians. John then turns the page and talks about Demetrius in verse 12. Demetrius was a man of faith.

Finally, in verse 11, John teaches "Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God." We see the picture of both of these in this short letter. Demetrius does Good, Diotrephes does evil. John teaches us not to follow that which is evil. Diotrephes spread gossip and seemed to control the church. Do you know people like that? Diotrephes claimed to know Christ, but in reality, his actions proved otherwise. On the other hand, Demetrius showed his faith by his actions. Even today, churches are filled with the Diotrephes's and the Dimetruis's. The question is, which one are you following, or which one are you. The one who tears apart and controls, or the one who reflects Christ? Think About It.