'Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God' ( 3 John 11).
It always seems easier to follow that which is evil, than that which is good; because we are sinners and as sinners our nature is to sin. The Bible tells us that the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked: who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9). Therefore, it is only Jesus in our lives that can help us to do that which is good. John was saying that he who does good is of God, but if one seeks to do evil, is of the Devil and has not seen God - have a personal relationship with him. We see in this chapter where John was offering encouragement to his trusted brother in the faith, Gaius who walked in spirit and in truth. We too are encouraged to walk in sincerity and truth as we allow ourselves to be led by the Holy Spirit. When we know God and allow him to work in our lives, we will learn to be gracious, kind and tender- hearted towards each other; setting good example for others to follow. It is our love for God that will spur us to action, in following Jesus and to call others to come to Christ. John further warned Gaius about people like Diotrephes who seek preeminence within the church and refuse to receive them, but tried to discredit and make malicious gossip about them. He told Gaius not to follow that which was evil, but that which was good. We too will find people like Diotrephes within the church, but must seek to follow after Christ who is good. We were given free will by God and have the choice to choose right from wrong, good or evil as we follow Jesus. We too are encouraged as believers, not to imitate what is evil, but imitate that which was good. Let us be careful of those who displayed a spirit of control and have no personal relationship with God. Let us look to Jesus who has the power to allow us to do good. As children of God, we need to be like our heavenly Father in thought, word and deed. God is good and the only one deserving to be good. But if we trust in Him and align our will to his, He will make us good, for his glory.
Have a wonderful day
Devotional 'The Lord is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed' (Psalm 28:8). The Lord our God is the glory of our strength, and in His name we shall rejoice all the day. The Lord is our strength, and the saving strength of His anointed. It is through Christ our anointed that all our blessings come to us. Here we see David, who is a type of our Lord Jesus, praising God. What about you? Christ had done much for us and has achieved full salvation for us, therefore, praise Him! We, like Israel are encouraged that the Lord is our Strength and salvation. When we seek to be in a relationship with God, He will protect us from our enemies and save us from the crutches of Satan. Just as how Satan attempts to destroy Christ many times, whilst he was on earth, God saved him and will do the same for us. Christ died to save us all, but it is those who trust Him and have a saving relationship with him that will spend eternity with. He is our High Priest, and J...
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