August 18, 2022
Imitate Good
3 John
Sarah Crotty
Central Truth
We imitate those we watch.
Key Verse | 3 John 11
Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.
3 John
Greeting
1 The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.
2 Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. 3 For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers 1 1:3 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated brothers) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters; also verses 5, 10 came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
Support and Opposition
5 Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, 6 who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. 7 For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. 8 Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.
9 I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. 10 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.
11 Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God. 12 Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true.
Final Greetings
13 I had much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink. 14 I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.
15 Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends, each by name.
Footnotes
[1] 1:3 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters; also verses 5, 10
Listen to the Podcast
Listen NowDive Deeper | 3 John
Did you know that after just 20 seconds of watching someone perform an action on screen, most toddlers are able to duplicate the action? So wrote an author summarizing research for Michigan State University. Real-life, prolonged, and repeated examples are even more readily mimicked.
John urges his son in the faith to be mindful of whom he imitates. He cites the good report he had heard about Gaius, the hospitality Gaius had extended, the selflessness of those who served for the sake of the Name, and the good testimony Demetrius received. The attitude and actions of Diotrephes were examples to avoid: pride, selfishness, slander, refusal to welcome brothers, and ostracizing those who wanted to extend hospitality.
Those with whom I spend time influence me—in person, virtually, by text, or through listening. My eyes and ears are entry points for my heart, mind, and soul. I can improve deficient vision and hearing with glasses and hearing aids, but must continually filter my intake mentally and spiritually. I choose where I focus my time and attention.
I have been given many faithful examples to follow:
- My husband, diligent in pursuit of the Lord and His Word;
- Daphne Emslie, quiet and caring in prayer, hope, and confidence;
- Vickie Kraft, zealous that others know the Savior and the Word of God; and
- Judy Wimberley, creative in using everything to teach about the Lord.
Occasionally, like Diotrephes, I'm a poor example, manifesting sin though redeemed from it. Pride, selfishness, ingratitude, a critical spirit, and words neither loving nor true come out of me at times.
Jesus exhorted His disciples to do as He did:
- Wash one another's feet (John 13:14-15);
- Love one another (John 13:34; and John 15:12);
- Keep God's commandments (John 15:10).
Only One is always worthy of imitating. In life here and now, it is wise to follow those who follow Christ. As Paul wrote, "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ." (1 Corinthians 11:1)
Discussion Questions
1. Who are Christ-like examples to you? What do they do that you want to emulate?
2. Is there anything you need to stop doing so that you don't set a poor example?
3. Who watches and follows your example? What have you seen them do that mirrors something you did?
4. How can you hold fast to what is good? (Romans 12:9)
5. Are you surrounding yourself with good company or bad? (1 Corinthians 15:33)