3 John 1–14 (NKJV)
1 The Elder, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth: 2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 5 Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers, 6 who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well, 7 because they went forth for His name’s sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles. 8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth. 9 I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us. 10 Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church. 11 Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God. 12 Demetrius has a good testimony from all, and from the truth itself. And we also bear witness, and you know that our testimony is true. 13 I had many things to write, but I do not wish to write to you with pen and ink; 14 but I hope to see you shortly, and we shall speak face to face. Peace to you. Our friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.
Children learn by imitation. They learn to speak by hearing the sounds their parents make, then attempting to repeat their words. As children grow, they learn how to behave from their parents as well, observing them and imitating their behavior and attitudes. This is how Christians learn the Word of God in the Divine Service. We hear God’s Word and we speak it back to Him by confessing our faith, praying to Him, praising, and giving thanks to Him.
St. John writes to Gaius, “Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.” Christians are sons of God because they believe in Christ Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins. Like earthly children, we are to imitate the good our Father in heaven does. Since the Father in invisible and unseen, we imitate the good we see our elder brother Jesus do in the gospels. We also imitate the apostles whom Christ has called and sent specifically to preach the gospel and live as a pattern for others. This is why St. Paul tells the Corinthians, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1). So we imitate Christ and His apostles, as well as the saints, following their faith and good works according to our callings.
Christians are not to be like Diotrephes. It seems this man had preeminence in the church and became puffed up with pride because of it. Diotrephes did not receive John or follow his example of humility and service which the apostle had learned from Christ Himself. His pride led him to speak maliciously against John and excommunicate those who wished to receive faithful brethren. John will call Diotrephes to repentance and back to the imitation of what is good. His example reminds us to beware conceit, no matter our position in the church, but imitate the good.
Let us pray: Lord God, grant us childlike faith to believe Your Word in all circumstances and imitate the good that Christ has shown us. Amen.
