III John 1:9-10 - “I have written something to the church but Diotrophes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church.”
This short bible book is actually a personal letter from the apostle John near the end of the first century to a man named Gaius. There were at least two men known by this name in the New Testament story. One was from Derbe and a companion of Paul and the other was from Corinth in Greece. But since John spent the end of his life in and near the seven churches of Asia (modern western Turkey), this man is likely from one of them.
But today’s focus in not on this man’s faith, hospitality, and love; but rather on a man named Diotrophes who displays three traits that we should avoid.
1) We are not in the will of God, when we like this man like to put ourselves first. The church, any church is never about us, so to think only of ourselves when it comes to our particular congregation or small group is a selfish attitude that does not come from the Spirit.
2) We are not following Jesus well when do not acknowledge authority within the church. One of the main teachings of Christianity is that of submission. And there are people entrusted with authority in the church that we must submit to in Jesus’ name. Ultimately we are submit to one another out of reverence to Christ (Ephesians 5:20)
3) Finally, we are not to hinder others in their walk with Jesus by not allowing them to follow and submit. A sure sign we are outside of God’s will is when we attempt to discourage others about a certain church or church leader. This action keeps others from the word of truth and life in Christian community.
Today’s thought? Note these three things and don’t be a Diotrophes!
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