Knowing the Word in 3 John 11-12, Imitate Good

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.

Q: Who is evil; who is not to be imitated?

A: Imitating evil is clearly a reference to Diotrephes’ behavior, and by implication the Elder calls into question the genuineness of Diotrephes’ faith. The Bible tells us that our faith has fruit and that our fruit reveals our faith. What fruit to people see in your life? Do they see the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control?

Q: Who is Demetrius

A: Demetrius is apparently someone Gaius has not met. He has a good reputation and may be the leader of the traveling missionaries. In imitating good, we are to imitate Jesus. We are to look to him not only as the Founder and Perfecter of our faith, but as the One who embodies our faith.

Prayer: O Lord God, destroy and root out whatever the adversary plants in me, that with my sins destroyed you may sow understanding and good work in my mouth and heart; so that in act and in truth I may serve only you and know how to fulfill the commandments of Christ and to seek yourself. Give me love, give me chastity, give me faith, give me all things which you know belong to the profit of my soul. O Lord, work good in me, and provide me with what you know that I need.

Columbanus, c. 550-615