Imitate Good

3 John 11-12 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. 12 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.


REEMBER John is writing to his dear friend Gaius, a leader in a particular church. We have read of Gaius’ imitating – reproducing – God’s goodness with his life of Christian virtue. John has contrasted this with Diotrephes’ disobedient, diminishing character. We can easily imagine that Diotrephes’ self-importance openly opposed Gaius. The prideful man would have wanted to keep the good man from influence in the church. John is urging Gaius to remain faithful and firm in this spiritual clash.
    To strengthen Gaius, John points to Demetrius, another faithful man. He wants Gaius to know others are imitating good. This is one reason believers must be in fellowship. Faith strengthens faith: Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. The apostle Paul summarizes this fellowship in Philippians 2:1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Your unity with others begins as you are one with the Spirit.
    People striving toward God need encouragement, don’t they? There are many who have lovingly demonstrated God is in their lives. But temptation loomed large against them. Their faith became dull; their fellowship became too much in the world’s selfish ambition and vain conceit. Some came to even oppose the church and maybe even influenced others away from imitating good.
    If you know someone like this, imitate Jesus’ good mercy. Pray for a new sharpening in his or her heart. Show hospitality. Encourage them to fellowship with you in God’s truth. Listen. Learn. Love. Admonish. Pray.
    Who sharpens you? Where is your fellowship? Are you imitating good?
 
Life Thought: Jesus isn’t simply a model to follow. He’s the truth. Imitate him.