February 25

Why You Learn
 
3 John 9-10 I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will have nothing to do with us. 10 So if I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, gossiping maliciously about us. Not satisfied with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church.
 
THIS is very different than our view into Gaius’ faithful life from the first eight verses of this letter. Here is Diotrephes, who is a barrier to faith. He seems to think the church is his church, forgetting the church is Jesus’ bride.
    Here are some character flaws Christians must avoid. He loves to be first. Pride reigns in Diotrephes’ life. How is it we think first place is the best place to be? It’s natural isn’t it? The Bible speaks much about pride as causing sin and separation. Heed the words of Proverbs 29:23 A man's pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor. Pride brings distress. Humility brings blessing.
    How sad Diotrephes’ pride caused him to have nothing to do with John and the teachers who went to his church. Diotrephes rejected John’s authority to create a community under his own name and authority. He is a gossip. He keeps away those who want to hear God’s Word.  To dismiss Jesus’ anointed is to refuse Jesus’ Lordship.
    With this and the previous two lessons, you have read of a man who served Jesus and a man who served himself. This contrast is a means to examine our own lives. We might be prone to say, “I’m not as good as Gaius. I’m not as bad as Diotrephes.” That’s probably true. Then what do you do?
    Are you satisfied in-between? Or do you want to move further away from pride to more humbly live in the truth? Someone once asked me, “Why is it necessary to study the Bible? When we get to heaven, are we going to be given a quiz?” My answer, “You are tested every day. God gave you his Word, so you will know him to show him to the world. God wants you to learn of him, so you can speak to people in in truth about him. Otherwise, how will they know?”
    Diotrephes was speaking evil in his gossiping, self-serving pride. Gaius spoke goodness and grace with his servant’s heart and hospitable spirit. These are faith lessons to learn for the church’s good and the Lord’s glory.
 
Life Thought: Learn and live God’s truth, so more will know grace and mercy.