3 John 9, 10 says...
Today's verses are 3 John 9, 10 which read,
"I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say. For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church."
After John tells us about this "great" guy in the church named Gaius, he tells us about a guy in the church name Diotrephes as just the opposite. Gaius heard the gospel from John and is walking in it. He showed great hospitality even to those traveling missionaries and preparing them for future travels. Gaius' faith and love is being spoken of by others to the rest of the general church.
Diotrephes is another story. Another letter was written to the church and it is possible that it didn't get there or wasn't read because Diotrephes didn't accept it. He was rejecting the message given by the Apostle John. Instead of showing hospitality to others he is described as someone "who loves to be first among them." Instead of the being "others-centered," he is "self-centered."
Pastor Adam
"I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say. For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church."
After John tells us about this "great" guy in the church named Gaius, he tells us about a guy in the church name Diotrephes as just the opposite. Gaius heard the gospel from John and is walking in it. He showed great hospitality even to those traveling missionaries and preparing them for future travels. Gaius' faith and love is being spoken of by others to the rest of the general church.
Diotrephes is another story. Another letter was written to the church and it is possible that it didn't get there or wasn't read because Diotrephes didn't accept it. He was rejecting the message given by the Apostle John. Instead of showing hospitality to others he is described as someone "who loves to be first among them." Instead of the being "others-centered," he is "self-centered."
John's
actions are much like Jesus' when it comes to sin. The Apostle lets
them know that if he is able to come that this will be addressed. There
seems to be four charges here.
1. "unjustly accusing us" - unfounded words
2. "with wicked words" - gossip, unwholesome talk
3. "does not receive the brethren" - wisdom of sound counsel is rejected
4. "puts them out of the church" - actions taken to remove them physically
This
sounds very serious to me and I am sad to say that I have seen these
actions in the church over the years. I have also seen these actions go
unaddressed and allowed to go on and it shapes the whole attitude of
the church. Something has to be done otherwise this church will have
its "lampstand," its light of the gospel taken away. It ceases to be a church of God but a church of self.
These
actions have no place in the church of God. We live lives that are to
be just and our words are to be wholesome. We receive sound counsel of
our brothers who are drawing from Scripture and we strive for unity
based upon the Word's authority and not our own.
"Lord, when sin shows its face in the church, I pray for the strength and courage to address it. I also thank you for those You give us who show us physically the right way to live. Amen."
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