3 John :11 (NIV)
In a sense, you are who you imitate. After I became a Christian I attended Calvary Chapels up until a few years ago. Several pastors came out of Pastor Chuck's ministry and have been very fruitful in advancing the kingdom of God. The emphasis on teaching through the Bible, the whole Bible, was definitely a common trait. And it is a very good one. The point is that imitating what is good yields good fruit.
John, the Apostle, had just been talking about Diotrephes. Diotrephes liked to be first, rejected the apostles, gossiped maliciously, and refused to welcome those sent from John. Not only that but he stopped those who tried to welcome those sent from John, and put them out of the church. In light of this narcissistic tyrants' actions John says to not imitate what is evil.
Just think about how people operate as leaders. Even while declaring the truth (which is opposed to sin) godly leaders are loving and welcoming. Remember, repentance is a way in, a way back to God in Christ. Imitate those who offer grace.
Father, give us wisdom to imitate what is good. Praise be to you in us today!
John, the Apostle, had just been talking about Diotrephes. Diotrephes liked to be first, rejected the apostles, gossiped maliciously, and refused to welcome those sent from John. Not only that but he stopped those who tried to welcome those sent from John, and put them out of the church. In light of this narcissistic tyrants' actions John says to not imitate what is evil.
Just think about how people operate as leaders. Even while declaring the truth (which is opposed to sin) godly leaders are loving and welcoming. Remember, repentance is a way in, a way back to God in Christ. Imitate those who offer grace.
Father, give us wisdom to imitate what is good. Praise be to you in us today!
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