Category: Devotions

I attended the funeral of my friend’s father yesterday and enjoyed listening to the eulogies and hear of people speaking well of this man even though I didn’t know him myself. He sounded like a man I would have enjoyed meeting.

Also this week I went to speak at a meeting where I was introduced in a way I have not heard before. Usually the focus of the introduction is on what I have done or the things I am involved with now. But I was refreshingly introduced as ‘he is a nice man’. Now some would have wanted a far more elaborate introduction but not me. I felt honoured actually.

Often we wait till someone has died to speak well of them. It is of course the right thing to do in order to honour their life. But let us use life-giving words in life as much as we can and let those we are speaking of hear them.

This is something of what is happening in these next 2 verses as we come to a close of John’s letter. Writing to Gaius who is holding on to the orthodox teaching of Christ, John is sending another friend, Demetrius, probably to deliver the letter. John is appealing for Gaius to continue to do good which we have seen is to offer hospitality to these missionaries he keeps sending to the churches. As opposed to Diotrophes who rejects them, Gaius welcomes them into his home.

^“Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God. Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone—and even by the truth itself. We also speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true.” (3 John v 11-12)

Clearly not everyone speaks well of Demetrius because Diotrophes opposed everyone from John. Literally if your whole world speaks well of you then perhaps you are not fulfilling the calling God has laid on your life. However, the people who really know you, are you a nice person? Do people speak well of you?

There are moments when I respond in a way that isn’t something I am proud of. I will say, “I’m not bothered what people think about me” but not only is this not helpful it isn’t correct. I am bothered. In my life and in my death I do want to be known as ‘a nice man’ without compromising God’s call on my life and the difficult decisions that this means, I do think that the description given is an honour greater than other awards.

What are we known for? How would people introduce you now and how would they say good-bye to you when you part this world? “A nice man” is a great achievement!

All leaders are obviously human and make mistakes. If we put them on a pedestal when they fall off we will be disappointed. In saying that, it is a high calling to be a Church leader and the privilege of being so means there are higher expectations and rightly so.

In John’s day there was a particular church leader who had been giving him great concern and now he calls him out. It is helpful to us all in that what John sees we should all see and give a wide-berth to such leadership and to call it out as John does.

“I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us. So when I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, spreading malicious nonsense about us. Not satisfied with that, he even refuses to welcome other believers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church.” (3 John 9-10)

Here are 5 things to look out for.

The Diotrophes leader:-

1. Loves to be number one. They love to have the authority over people. They love to be in charge. They love to dominate. There is a huge difference between being gifted and willing and loving the position. Good leaders love Jesus more than they love their position and it is obvious that they do.
2. Gossips. They spread rumours about their own leader (John) and even the community they lead. They seem to love the politics of situations. They come alive with information.
3. Is egocentric. They refuse to see any other point of view other than their own. They refuse to welcome into their circle others who will not say YES to their ideas.
4. Is an enforcer. They create rules in order to create the culture that they want to build which is centred on their own opinion. “I did it my way” is their theme song.
5. Is a narcissist. They lead through the tactic of divide and conquer. They create fear of separation/isolation with their victims in order to control them.

We are thankful that the Bible teaches against such leadership, highlights them and warns us all to run away from such bad leadership.

Over the last few years my team have done a lot of work on the well-being of the Pastor. We have ventured into new ground for many of us with terms such as Spiritual Directors and Peer Supervision. It is early days for us but our goal is to create a culture where the soul of the Minister is healthy.

“Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.”  (3 John v 2)

How is your soul?

Gaius was enjoying good health. I’m not asking how you are physically though I hope you are well and if you are not then you will get better soon.

But how is your soul?

Gaius’ life looked good. John wanted more for his friend, “I pray that in all respects you may prosper” (NASB) I’m not asking if God is blessing you though I hope He is.

How is your soul? Is it well? Is it content?

What is going on in your mind? What is coming out of your mouth? What are you doing? These will indicate how your soul is. Answer those 3 questions honestly.

Is your soul well? If you are still unsure then ask a friend tell you what they see. John could see the evidence of a good soul in Gaius. But be ready to hear something that you might not like.

The move in to the power of the Spirit comes from a well soul. Those of us who desire more of the Spirit need to focus more on having souls that are healthy.

I don’t think there is anything more special at a funeral than hearing of how the person who lived a long life did so whilst remaining a Christian all their life.

“Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”

3 John 1:2-4

Gaius was known for his ‘faithfulness to the truth’.

Today let’s stay in the truth of what we have been taught about Jesus Christ. Let’s ‘continue to walk in it’ Through the struggles and trials of life they are still continuing in the walk. They are reliable. They are there. When others have walked away they have stayed.

Maybe you’re thinking of walking away? Certainly walk away from the Diotrophes people (the disloyal) but not the truth of Jesus Christ.

I know a man who sits on the back row of a church who continually makes life difficult for the Pastor. He is influential as he used to be a leader himself. He looks very spiritual and holy, charismatic and he knows the Bible more than most. But he seems to reject everything that is presented, he opposes all the initiatives that the Pastor beings, he talks through the sermons correcting things he does t agree with. I know a few like him. And here in this the start of our reading of the 3rd letter of John I call them Diotrephes people. Let’s read 10 verses which we will explore over the next few days.

“The elder, To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth. Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you. They have told the church about your love. Please send them on their way in a manner that honors God. It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth. I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us. So when I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, spreading malicious nonsense about us. Not satisfied with that, he even refuses to welcome other believers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church.”

3 John 1:1-10

Diostrophes rejected John’s letter (v9); rejected the messengers from John (v10); and rejected the supporters of John also (v10). Diotrophes people are brilliant at rejecting!

But then there are Gaius type people. They are courageous in the circumstance of disloyalty.

I have been helping a church in Africa this year because their Elim Pastor (a Diotrophes) wanted to take his church out of the denomination, go independent and keep the building. He spent several months denouncing his roots and his own leaders and told his people they must also do the same. In confusion members began to walk away but then he publicly denounced them too telling the rest of the church not to have anything to do with those who walk away. He told them to reject them completely. In the end more walked away. In January I met this group as they came together for the first time. They had simply crossed the road and set up a make shift covering on poles and with their elders met for a worship service for the first time. They were battered and bruised spiritually. It felt like they were sheep without a shepherd, the service was filled with tears and wailing. But then came the move of God. He came with healing for their soul. It was a privilege to see God move on them. These courageous people are now under the care of a good shepherd and I am helping them the best I can. These people are Gaius people. It takes courage to stand in the face of disloyalty. Sometimes it is courageous to walk away from such people. They were once part of your life but you no longer let them ruin you anymore.

Who is coming? Jesus?

Yes!

But we are in the middle of reading a letter from the only remaining member of the 12 disciples to the Church. He is at pains that they remain true to their foundational belief about Jesus Christ. For this first century church they hear their leader and overseer is coming to them.

“I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete. The children of your sister, who is chosen by God, send their greetings.” 2 John 1:12-13

He is coming for a face to face meeting. If anyone was thinking of drifting off to those charismatic antichrist leaders they would think again because their leader is on his way. No one knows when he will arrive so now is the time to stay on the straight and narrow.

Just like the parables of the wicked servant, the ten virgins, the talents and the watchful servants which Jesus told, He is also coming and we need to stay focused.

John gives a warning but with the hidden message of hope for he knows his joy will be complete if he finds them holding on to the truth.

Until Jesus comes, today and as every day we too choose to stand firm against the many loud voices attacking the person and nature of Jesus Christ. Those voices are wanting to dilute His Lordship in our lives.

Hold on to what the gospels teach us, do not be led astray, for He is coming and we will see Him face to face!

Old man John has known in his life times when God told him to write to churches. He has already written a letter and with this one he has one more to write.

However he has so much to say, within him the burden is too great, the message too important, how many letters would it take to get out of him what’s inside him?! He recognises that letters are not everything.

Here’s what he writes within this second letter …

“ I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink.”
‭‭2 John‬ ‭v12a

I write and read lots of emails and text messages in the course of a day and so do you. Often I wonder if it’s all become too much. I recognise more than most how amazing it is to connect to a global village pictures and posts that are such a blessing.

But there are times when just because you have a lot to say it doesn’t mean you have to send that text/email or sadly, for many people, vent their anger on social media.

Perhaps the message would be clearer if it wasn’t written down but spoken so that people not only see your message but also your heart.

An elderly disciple of Jesus, 2000 years ago understood that principle and here we are in our universal modern technological world needing to hear and heed that same principle.

We would all agree that hospitality is a gift and we should love even our enemies. So this is a bit difficult ….

“If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work.” (2 John 10-11)

If we consider that the houses were the places of worship and ‘teaching’ (v10) then what John is saying is ‘don’t give false leaders a welcome into the public place where they can teach their lies about Jesus Christ.’ Limit their opportunities.

In a world where it seems the Church have mastered the art of division, nevertheless, it is crucial that we know what we must never compromise on:-

1. Are we teaching the authentic orthodox position of the person of Jesus Christ?

2. Are we aligning ourselves with Christians who are not Christians and therefore approving a diluted gospel message?

How much will we not compromise?

This is a big deal for John. The protection of the truth is crucial because he had heard, seen, looked and touched the risen Jesus. (1 John 1)

This is not about rejecting those who do not hold to our teaching on any other issue but it is about our beliefs being held tightly regarding the person of Jesus Christ.

Jesus is the Christ, the Incarnate, the Virgin birth, the cross, the resurrection, the ascension and the coming King. This is the foundation of the Christian belief and practice. We must not compromise on the teaching of Christ. There should be no welcome for such.

Think for a moment of those people who have invested in you. Perhaps your parents sharing their faith; a friend/mentor counselling you to walk with God; your Pastor or small group leader teaching you the truths; the Alpha course leader that introduced you to Jesus; they are still speaking, just as John is to the churches. They say ‘don’t let go now’.

John says, ‘we, including you, have worked hard in establishing the truths of Jesus’ teaching in the churches, we have been building community and we have been sharing the gospel across our world, don’t ruin what has happened by choosing the wrong side of this conflict.’

“Watch out that you do not lose what wehave worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.” (2 John 8-9)

Watch out.

In this conflict, John has called out the powerful and deceptive leaders who have been teaching a view of Jesus Christ which is not in line with the orthodox teaching of Christ.

What’s your conflict? Maybe you are not in one. Or are you?

Watch out.

There is a temptation to run ahead. To get so embroiled that you end up being captured by the conflict so much so that your relationship with the Father and with the Son is not the same neither is your love for God’s people.

The Church in the UK has most definitely found itself in conflict in recent times. Many have lost friends in those conflicts as the division runs deep. Thankfully in many cases the generations who have worked so hard for the church but who have died in the Lord are not seeing their work unravelling.

But Jesus does.

The problem with conflict is that there are losers.

John says to stay on the right side of conflict and do not lose what those who have given you. Don’t drop the baton. Keep to the traditions. Keep to the disciplines. Don’t go off track.

To say you believe in Jesus Christ is to live as Jesus Christ. The message of the Church is the affirmation of the person Jesus Christ. This affirmation is costly. The message is not everyone can come in and no one has to change. The church must be a reflection of Jesus Christ. This is the message of John as he calls for the Church members to walk in the truth. Now he goes further and stronger:

“I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.” (2 John v 7)

If any ‘believers’ deny the complete incarnation of Jesus Christ, John calls them deceivers and the antichrist, not even agents of the antichrist!

We may look to singular villains of our world past and present and think are they the antichrist? But John says they come from within and they are here now. They are dethroning Jesus Christ and they do not live a Christ life.

A Church where Jesus Christ is not central for who He is and what He demands is not the church of Jesus.

Those who have ‘gone out’ from the church may have done so with a variety of sinful choices but see what they are saying about the person of Jesus Christ being the Son of God, the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the return of Jesus Christ, for it is these 3 things that are the stand out signs that any other teaching than what is the orthodox tradition, is a deception.

We live in days when Christians need to affirm their faith publicly in who Jesus Christ is. Sometimes Church can be more about who is in it than who is being followed.