How to Imitate What is Good

The General Example to Follow

The epistle of Third John communicates profound truths in a simple way. It contains very little theology and only one command: imitate what is good. Yet the concepts are necessary for our Christian lives, connecting theology to how we live.

John writes to Gaius, commending his local congregation. This gives us a glimpse into how a first-century church functioned—and how ours should function today.

The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth: I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth. I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.

Doctrinal accuracy is a source of joy in the church. John rejoiced greatly when he heard reports of believers walking in truth. Truth matters—doctrine matters—and experiencing it matters. We are not stoics rejoicing only in knowledge; we experience joy in the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

There is a huge connection between love and truth, love and sound doctrine, because Jesus Christ is Himself the truth. A group of Christians who maintain the truth maintain Christ—and thus maintain joy.

To walk in the truth means to know it, believe it, and live it. There is an exact correspondence between creed and conduct.

Gaius's congregation demonstrated hospitality to missionaries—brothers carrying the truth. They welcomed strangers, loved them, fellowshipped with them, and supported them spiritually and financially.

Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren, and especially when they are strangers. And they have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God, for they went out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth.

When it comes to missions, there are only three kinds of Christians: zealous goers, zealous senders, and disobedient. Gaius's church was committed to advancing the gospel inside and outside the church. They valued the gospel, treasured those who brought it, and demonstrated this through their attitudes and actions. That is good—and we should imitate it.

The Guy You Don't Want to Follow

Now enter Diotrephes, whose name means "nourished by Zeus," suggesting a pagan background. He still lives as a pagan. There is a dramatic difference between life in Christ and life before Christ.

I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say. For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does unjustly, accusing us with wicked words. And not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brethren either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church.

Diotrephes is self-interested, concerned with his preeminence. He wants to be first—like Christ. He rejects the brothers, shows inhospitality, and disciplines those who welcome them. His church growth strategy builds around his own personality, not Jesus. He rejects apostolic authority, John's writings, and the Scriptures themselves.

The truth does not produce self-interested individuals. Pride reveals a lack of right doctrine or unwillingness to submit to it. You can measure a person's relationship with God by how they treat God's people.

Diotrephes is evil to avoid imitating. The good is founding our beliefs, thoughts, and practices on the testimonies of God's Word.

The Guys You Do Want to Follow

Now Gaius and Demetrius.

Beloved, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God. Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself, as well. And we add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true.

Demetrius has a good reputation with everyone and with the gospel itself. He lives in a manner worthy of the gospel, maintaining and demonstrating sound doctrine. Everyone knows he walks in the truth.

Three questions to consider:

1. How much of your life is concealed, preventing universal Christian testimony?
2. Is it a concern to you that the church sees your Christian reputation?
3. Is your attitude inside the church one that you don't care what others think?

Demetrius is like Timothy, genuinely concerned—anxious—for the welfare of God's people, not seeking his own interests.

John calls Gaius "beloved" multiple times and prays for his physical well-being, assuming his spiritual health is solid.

Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.

Gaius's spiritual well-being is bedrock—unwavering, sustaining, satisfying. Imitating good means praying for each other's health and prioritizing spiritual well-being above physical.

The command is singular: Beloved, imitate what is good. Don't imitate what is evil. Success in a church is not numerical growth, but members walking in the truth. Let's commit ourselves to what is good and walk in the truth.