Monday, May 27, 2013
TEXT: 3 JOHN 9-14
Key Verse : 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” (3 John 11).
Unfortunately, Diotrephes, from our text, had ambition for fame and not for the salvation of souls. The Scripture described him as a bad typical Christian leader, who loved to have the preeminence. Gaius, who apparently was the pastor of the church had a health challenge; and Diotrephes, who had to stand in for him to oversee the church was full of himself. He loved to be recognised above everyone else, as the main authority and leader of the congregation. He over-estimated his importance in the church that he did not obey superior leaders like Apostle John.
As a way of setting himself in opposition to John, Diotrephes rejected John’s letter. He equally unjustly accused him and other leaders out of malice. Added to this, Diotrephes refused to welcome missionaries who came to assist in the work of God. He forbade church members to show hospitality and excommunicated those who did so. John admonished Gaius to imitate good and shun evil. He commended Demetrius, who, unlike Diotrephes, had worked faithfully to spread the gospel of Jesus.
Like Diotrephes, many still seek honour and preeminence through false and fabricated accusations against others, particularly the leadership of the church. If you are among those who destroy other people to have your way, repent now. Otherwise, you earn yourself eternal damnation.
Thought for the Day : Inordinate ambition leads to damnation.