PROCLAMATION
“Dear friend,
do not imitate what is evil but what is good.
Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.” 3 John 1:11 (NIV)
EXPLANATION
These words
were written by the apostle John, under the inspiration of The Holy Spirit of
God, to Gaius, a dear friend of whom he loved in the truth. In this, his third and final letter, again John
begins by identifying himself as an “elder”, his office in the church, not as
an “apostle”. This is probably because
the person to whom he is writing knows him and accepts his authority as one who
walked with Christ. After identifying the
recipient and wishing him well, (3 John 1:1-2) he expresses his joy in hearing
from the believers that he was faithful and walking in the truth. (3 John
1:3-4) Then he compliments him,
encourages him, and tells him how other believers have also complimented him.
(1 John 3:5-8) He then digresses and
talks about Diotrephes who is not behaving in a Christ-like manner, spreading
rumors, and refusing to welcome believers. (3 John 1:9-10) Then John tells Gaius not to imitate that
which is evil. (3 John 1:11) ) He ends the letter by saying that he has much
more to tell him, but that he would rather tell him when they are face to face.
(3 John 1:13-14)
APPLICATION
John tells
Gaius directly, and all believers indirectly, that believers should do that
which is good and not imitate that which is not. Imitate that which is Godly and
Christ-like. Anyone who does that which is good is a child of
God. We could not do good if God is not within
us. So, let us follow Christ and let us
encourage others to do likewise.
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