Week 40, Day 5
October 7, 2022 Scripture: 3 John “I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will have nothing to do with us. So when I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, spreading malicious nonsense about us. Not satisfied with that, he refuses to welcome other believers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church. 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.” (3 John 9–11) Hospitality is the hallmark of a healthy church. Today’s encouragement is to look within ourselves and see if there is any of the spirit of Diotrephes in us. He loves to be first. Spreads nonsense. Refuses to welcome other believers into the church. That’s a hard word and look inward, but we must do it. I’ve seen Diotrephes in churches over the years. I’ve looked him in the face, and I have looked at him in the mirror. There are times that I have been less than welcoming, loving and caring for others. There are times when I don’t want the church to change, especially by adding people that aren’t just how I want them to be and think. It can be difficult. I want things my way, I want to be first. I want it my way. We’ve all felt that a time or two, I’m sure. John counsels us, “Do not imitate what is evil but what is good.” Hospitality seeks to have an open heart and welcoming spirit in the body of believers. Helping people know that when they are welcomed in the church they can know that they are welcomed by God. We have an important role and function in sharing the Good News about Jesus. Let us imitate what is good, not evil. The world separates and denigrates. We, the church, unite and lift-up. People are loved by God and Jesus welcomes them. That’s the message and the mission. Hospitality does not look to our own interest, but to the interest of others. Let us tear out the Diotrephes in us, the selfish, me-first mindset, and imitate the a heart of Christ.
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AuthorJordan Ickes, Minister of Etna Green Church of Christ. Archives
December 2022
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