…Time to retreat.

Verse:

I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, 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.  Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.  3 John 9-11 (ESV)

3 John has been the scripture I’ve been studying.  I’m taking online college classes for Bible education and we have been learning formally how to dissect this book, in Hermeneutics.  I’m excited about it and it’s been going well so far.  Then I was faced with what felt like a huge mountain to climb, diagramming sentences.  And Monday night our building data assignment from 3 John was due.  Needless to say I was not happy with mine.  I read it over so many times thinking something was just missing.  Yet I handed it in anyway.  Today I realized, I think I lean more towards  devotional seeking when meditating on scripture.  And in a very informal way I do break down sentences (somewhat).  So I decided to “retreat” to some devotional time and process my thoughts on this scripture. Since I haven't posted in awhile, I figured I'd share it with all of you.

I (would be the writer of the book, the apostle John) have written something to the church, but Diotrephes (apparently in the church and the receiver of that letter) likes to put himself first (selfish), does not acknowledge our authority (rebellious).  So now if John comes to the church he will confront him about his behavior, talking wicked nonsense (gossip, slander) against them (John and the brethren).  John will not put up with it.  Diotrephes refuses to welcome the brethren and also stops those who want to help and puts them out of the church.  John tells the beloved do not imitate evil but imitate good.  Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.  

John gives us the command not to imitate evil, which we see the example in Dioptrephes’ behavior, but imitate good, which we see in Gaius’ behavior.  The beginning of this letter is addressed to the beloved Gaius who is walking in truth and supports the brothers who go and preach the gospel for Jesus.  Going even further John says, whoever does good is from God, whoever does evil has not seen God.  Sounds like, Diotrephes is on shaky ground, maybe a foundation of sand.  The thing is, Diotrephes is in the church and I would lean towards the direction of a leader, yet he is doing all these evil things, gossip, slander, refusing to help, and almost worse yet not letting others help the brethren.  Since Diotrephes won’t listen, John informs other faithful brothers who are walking in truth. 


Dear Lord Heavenly Father, Thank you for today.  Thank you for scripture and guiding us.  Lord I pray you continue to lead us to walk in the truth.  That we would imitate good, the good that comes from you.  Father I pray you would caution us when any temptation of these evil behaviors may begin to rise within. Thank you Lord for the people you place in our lives to help direct and steer us back on track.  In Jesus Name, Amen.