A Good Testimony

Good morning, Cross Connection Church. Thank you to Eli and the worship team. Praise the Lord!

While you are standing, would you take out your Bibles this morning? If you don't have a Bible, you can raise your hand, and one of our ushers will bring you one. We have arrived at number three, 3rd John, which is very near the end of the Bible. If you open to the very last book, which is Revelation, and turn just before Revelation, you will find a small book called Jude. One book before that is 3rd John.

As we go through the Scriptures together this morning, if you have a question about the message or about the Christian faith, you can text your questions to the phone number up on the screen. Pastor Mark and I will address the questions in our podcast this week. You can subscribe at thequestionspodcast.com for that.

Beginning in 3rd John, at verse 1, we read: "The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth. Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health just as your soul prospers. For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in the truth."

Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers 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 do well, because they went forth for His name's sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles. We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth.

God, I pray as we open the Scriptures this morning that you would open our ears, our hearts, and our minds. May we hear, comprehend, understand, and take to heart your word to us. We believe that these things are important.

Were God-breathed and inspired for us, for our transformation. I pray, God, that you would continue that work today. Lord, that you would make us more and more like You each day, and that it would be evident to us and to others that Your grace, Your Word, and Your Spirit are at work in us. Lord, shine brightly through Your church, we pray. We ask this in Jesus' name.

And all those who agreed said, "Amen." You may be seated.

One of the things that has become increasingly clear to me over the last many years, studying through the New Testament as we have been doing, is that God, through His Word, desires our transformation. The reason we gather together in this way to study through the Scriptures, and the reason that I and the other leaders here at this church encourage you to not just do this when we gather on a Sunday morning, but to study through the Scriptures on your own, to read through them on your own, to memorize and meditate upon the Scriptures, is that God, through His Word, does transform us.

This is what Paul and the other New Testament writers would refer to as our sanctification—a theological term that really just speaks of us being transformed more and more into the likeness of God's children. This is exactly what Jesus was praying for on the night that He would ultimately be betrayed by Judas Iscariot, the night before His crucifixion.

We have in the Gospel of John, chapter 17, recorded what has been referred to as the high priestly prayer of Jesus—Jesus' prayer for His church the night before His crucifixion. There in that prayer, in John 17, verse 17, He prays, "Father, sanctify them by Your truth. Your Word is truth."

So, God's desire is that I would be sanctified, transformed, and cleansed by the work of God's Word in my life, by the action and power of His Holy Spirit over my life. This comes to center stage one final time as we come to what is considered by most to be the last book of New Testament literature. It was likely written at the very end of the first century, about seven decades after Jesus ascended into heaven and the church was birthed, that John writes this last book.

The little book is less than 300 words in the original Greek writing. It is not really considered a book as much as it is a very small correspondence—a letter from an individual to his friend. From the content and structure of this third epistle of John, it seems that it was written at the same exact time and probably from the same exact location as the letter we studied over the last couple of weeks, Second John.

The Apostle John, at this point in time when he writes this letter, has been a follower of Jesus for probably 60 to 65 years. He is well into old age and refers to himself as "the elder." Anyone who would have read this letter at the time would have known exactly who he was referring to; they knew who he was. He writes this letter to someone who is a beloved friend named Gaius.

Little is known about the recipient of this letter, though the name Gaius appears about five times in New Testament literature. It is probably referring to different people in the previous instances. Gaius shows up in the Book of Acts, in the Book of Romans, and again in First Corinthians. However, those letters were all written about 25 to 30 years or more before this letter. Therefore, the Gaius mentioned here is likely a different individual.

What we can tell about him from this letter is that he was someone who knew John well, and John probably considered him a disciple of Christ under his ministry. It is possible that Gaius came to faith through the ministry of John. From the things that John commends him for doing, it seems that Gaius was probably a wealthy individual—a wealthy follower within the church. He may have even been someone who had a church that met in his home at this point in time in church history.

Because the church lacked political power and resources, there was no way for the church to acquire property and build a building. As soon as the church could, they did gather, but largely, the church met in the homes of wealthy individuals who were part of the church. Gaius would be considered an elder, an overseer, or even a pastor of a gathering of believers who met in his home. So, we have this man—a wealthy, hospitable believer, perhaps a disciple.

John is writing to a church that may have met in the home of Gaius, a beloved friend and disciple of the Apostle John. While this is speculation and we cannot know for sure, when we read 2nd and 3rd John together, we find that the letters are similar enough to suggest they were likely written to the same location. It is possible that 2nd John was addressed to the church and the individuals that made up that church, which met in Gaius's home.

As we consider Gaius in this letter, we will also look at two other individuals mentioned in these short verses: Diotrephes and Demetrius. When we examine them together, we see important points about the work of transformation that God desires through His Word. We observe the work of sanctification and transformation being worked out in the lives of these three individuals, even though we know very little about them beyond what is stated in these letters. The transformation we can observe in Gaius, Demetrius, and Diotrephes in 3rd John will bring forth significant applications for us.

The elder John writes to the beloved Gaius and mentions these two other individuals, Diotrephes and Demetrius. In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul wrote in 1st Corinthians 10:11 that all these things were written for our instruction and admonition, upon whom the ends of the age have come. When Paul wrote this to the Corinthians, he was referring to the Scriptures of the Old Testament, as that was all that Paul and the early church would have had at that time.

As time went on and the Apostles penned inspired Scripture, their letters also came to be known as Scripture. When we read 1st Corinthians 10:11, we find that the things of Scripture were written so we could learn from them. This is why it is so important for us to study what the Scriptures have to say, both corporately when we gather and individually when we are at home. All these things of Scripture were written and recorded for our learning and instruction. A passage of Scripture that I return to often, which has been core to my understanding and that of the church as a whole regarding the doctrine of revelation, is 2nd Timothy chapter 3.

In verses 16 and 17, Paul the Apostle states that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable. Everything contained in Scripture is useful, and it serves four very specific purposes in our lives.

First, it is useful for doctrine. It shows us what is right and true. When we establish the right and true lines, we can identify areas in our lives that are out of alignment. I often use the illustration of a plumb line, which is a simple tool that has been used for more than 2,700 years. Evidence of its use dates back to ancient Egypt, around 4,700 years ago. A plumb line consists of a string or rope with a weight that indicates what is straight and true. When we look at doctrine as the true line that Scripture provides, it immediately exposes areas of our lives that are not aligned with God's truth.

In 2 Timothy 3:16, Paul explains that Scripture is useful for doctrine and for rebuke or reproof. It reproves our lives by establishing that true line. Unlike a plumb line, however, the Bible has the ability to correct. This is the third purpose of the Word of God: it is useful for correction. It can bring our lives back into alignment when we follow the precepts of Scripture. When we do what the Scripture says, it helps us realign our lives.

Fourth, Scripture is useful for training in righteousness. It teaches us how to walk in a right way. This is why we value the Scriptures here at Cross Connection and why we consistently study them. Through His Word, God shows us the true line, reveals how we are out of alignment, brings us back into alignment, and teaches us how to walk in righteousness. This process equips us for every good work. God desires our maturity; He wants us to grow through the training of Scripture, to be transformed and equipped through reading and studying the Bible.

Point number one on your outline is that God's purpose through His Word is my total transformation. I emphasize this as something to keep in mind when you pick up the Bible to read.

One of the dangers that we can easily fall into when reading the Bible is the pitfall of thinking that certain passages are meant for someone else. I'm sure none of you have ever had that experience. This is one of the major pitfalls for pastors and preachers who study the Bible regularly to teach the Scriptures. We must not allow the Bible to be merely a bright shining light that exposes the faults of others, but rather, we should let it reveal our own hearts.

I want to encourage you to keep in mind that God desires our transformation when we open His Word. It is not just about reading the Bible for the value of what we can share with our co-workers. We often fall into the trap of using Scripture to point out what others should not do. However, God wants to use His Word to reveal and expose our own hearts.

The author of the book of Hebrews says that the Word of God is living and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword. It is able to reveal the thoughts and intents of our hearts. Everything is laid bare before the Word of God; it is revealed for what it truly is. God is doing a work of what theologians have referred to for many centuries as progressive sanctification. He is consistently and continually working in my life through His Word and the power of His Spirit, bringing about a cleansing and transforming work.

This progressive sanctification will be evident. It is not something done in secret. While the work that occurs when we study the Word of God on our own, perhaps early in the morning when no one else is around, may be quiet, the transformation it brings will be evident to both ourselves and others. Oftentimes, the evidence of God's work in my life, through His Word and Spirit, is more apparent to others than it is to me. It’s similar to starting a workout routine to lose weight or gain strength. Because you see yourself every day, you may not notice the changes, but someone who hasn’t seen you for just a few weeks might look at you and say, "Wow!"

My gosh, you've lost weight, or you have put on some muscle. They can see the transformation. This work of progressive sanctification, God working in you or me by His Word and by the power of the Spirit, becomes evident to others. It should be seen in our lives as a result of us working out our salvation, as we walk in obedience, as we walk in truth, and as we walk in love.

If you've been with us for about the last half a year, as we've been studying through First, Second, and Third John, those have been the core focuses of John: to walk in obedience, to walk in truth, and to walk in love. When you endeavor to do that by the enabling power of the Holy Spirit, there will be transformation. There will be a testimony that there is a transformation in your life, and that is exactly what we see with Gaius here in Third John.

Look at the opening of the letter again. Third John, verse 1: "The elder, John, to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth." I have a genuine love for you, he says. "Beloved Gaius, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health just as your soul prospers." For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in the truth.

The opening words of this letter indicate that John had a close friendship and relationship with this man, Gaius. He had a brotherly love for him; that's why he calls him "beloved." Possibly, Gaius came to faith through the ministry of John the Evangelist. It seems that John was one who was mentoring this guy. He says, "Beloved, I have a prayer for you."

If you're ever searching for how you should pray for someone in your life, how you should pray for Pastor Myles, you can apply this prayer for me anytime you want. Look at what he says: "I pray for you that you would prosper in everything, in every area of your life, that you would flourish." I want you to prosper in everything in your life, and that your health would prosper—not just in the things that you do in your job, not just in the things that you are working with within the church or within your family, but that you would prosper in your health in the same way that your soul prospers. Now, that's an interesting thing that he says; he indicates in this prayer.

Gaius had a transformed heart, or maybe you would call it a soul; perhaps you would say spirit. Sometimes these words are used interchangeably. Yes, there are differences, and a lot of theologians spend a lot of time discussing the heart, the soul, and the spirit. However, many times these words are used interchangeably in the New Testament.

John indicates that Gaius was prospering internally at the soul level. He says, "My prayer is that your outside life—the things that you put your hand to, your interactions in business, your interactions within the church, your interactions with your family, and your own physical health—would prosper at the same level that you already prosper at the soul level."

So again, if you're ever looking for a prayer to pray for me, you can pray that prayer for Gaius. John expresses that he hopes and prays for a healthy soul, and that this healthy soul would overflow into all the other dealings of life, leading to health and prosperity in everything that you do.

Two thousand years ago, there was a recognition of at least a dichotomy—two separate aspects in the makeup of human beings. There is something more to you and to me than just the material. When you read the materialists of our day, who claim that everything about who you are can be summed up in biochemistry and similar concepts, that perspective is not right. I believe it actually moves in the wrong direction from ancient thinking on this matter.

You can see this both in secular and sacred writings. If you go back to the sacred writings of the Greek philosophers from 2,500 years ago, you will find this reality: there is a difference between the soul and the material. John sees this and states that the immaterial aspects of life, the soul level, are going really well.

Where does this come from? When you study through the Scriptures, you find that our thriving or prospering at the soul level—the immaterial part of man—comes from the working of God by His Spirit through His Word. John desires for that to overflow into the other areas of your life.

Now, here’s one of the things that we see in our current culture here in the Western world.

Civilization, 2,000 years post-John, has a lot of people spending a lot of time trying to make everything in the material external world thrive and be prosperous. We are investing literally hundreds of billions of dollars each year to improve our health. This is not just about healthcare; it includes the billions spent on life extension projects aimed at helping us be strong and thrive physically for many more years to come. For all intents and purposes, I say, "Yeah, bring it on! That's great, lovely, wonderful."

We also spend a significant amount of time and energy on our interactions with others, whether in business, academia, or social settings. We attend conferences, go to seminars, and read books, all in pursuit of prosperity in the outward aspects of life. However, it seems that we are spending far too little time on the soul. The ancients understood this, and apparently, Oprah Winfrey does too, although she seems to focus on some of the wrong things with her "Super Soul Sundays" or whatever it's called. It resembles a kind of Oprah Church, as some of you may know.

I believe we live in a culture that expends massive amounts of energy, time, and money trying to make the external, material aspects of humanity thrive and prosper, while failing to recognize the need for work at the soul level. I have met quite a few people over the years, and perhaps you have as well, who appear to be prosperous in all material things. Their health seems good, and their engagements in work, politics, or whatever it may be seem successful, yet they are dying inside.

I would suggest that many indications in our culture point to a soul problem in America today. This observation has been made for a very long time. It is part of what C.S. Lewis was writing about in his great book, "The Abolition of Man," published in 1940. I believe this is also partly what Jesus was speaking about when he said, as the Gospel of Matthew records, "For what..."

Does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his own soul? The temptation 2,000 years ago was to miss this soul level, just as it is in our day. It is worth pointing out, point number two on your outline: God desires the prosperity of my soul far more than the prosperity of my flesh.

The problem is that my flesh is vastly unconcerned about the prosperity of my soul. The flesh only really cares about the flesh, and for many of us, the flesh can be overwhelmingly strong. We can get these things flip-flopped around, and I would suggest that sometimes we even try to justify this with what is put forward as teaching from the Bible in our day. This would be the prosperity gospel, which basically switches this all around and says that God is really concerned about your personal prosperity in this world—health, wealth, and so forth.

However, God is far more concerned about the prosperity of your soul than He is about the prosperity of your flesh. Gaius was one who had a healthy soul, and John does pray for the prosperity of the outward life, but he emphasizes that your soul is a picture of what it ought to be. We know very little about Gaius, but what we do know is really good.

We have a tendency to focus way too much on the prosperity of our flesh over the prosperity of our soul, and I would suggest that something needs to change. As a culture, we see the realities of this: the increase of suicide, the increase of the opioid epidemic, and people trying to deal with the problems of the soul with all kinds of things. If they can't get a prescription, they might go get a fifth of vodka, thinking that might help. But that won't help, and something needs to change in our culture.

We may have a lot of things going on on the outside, but we're inwardly sick. I think this is part of the reason why Paul would say to the Colossians and to us, "Seek those things which are above; set your mind on things above," as stated in Colossians 3. I think this would also be why Jesus would say, "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness." All these other things that we consume ourselves with, that we're worried about, He says those things will be added to you by your Father in heaven. He knows the things that you have need of, but seek first the kingdom of God.

So, in a list of priorities, if you're going to put a...

The hierarchy of priorities, as Jesus says, should start with seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Everything else will begin to fall into place when we do that. When the prosperity of your soul is in alignment with the way that God desires it to be, you will have no problem with the other things coming into alignment, and you will begin to have a great testimony.

This is exactly what we see with Gaius. In the opening passage of 3rd John, he says to the beloved Gaius in verse one, "Whom I love in truth." In verse two, he prays for the prosperity of Gaius's health just as his soul prospers. Verse three states, "I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified to the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth."

It's one thing to have a salvation testimony, and oftentimes we encourage people to share that story: "I once was lost, and now I'm found." Every Christian has that testimony. However, it is quite another to have the testimony that others have about you. We all have the testimony of what others say about us.

It might be the testimony of Gaius, but as we will see, it could also be the testimony of someone like Diotrephes, which is not a good testimony. John contrasts these two different testimonies here. He expresses his joy as a spiritual father, one who has mentored and discipled Gaius, when people came from his town. These Christian brothers, who may have stayed at Gaius's hospitable home, came to the church that meets there.

I cannot even begin to tell you how filled with joy I was when these brothers passed through your home and testified about your great faith. They said, "That guy walks in the truth."

This begs the question, in consideration of Gaius's life, how are we known? How am I known by other people? What do they say about you and me in our interactions? Can they say, "You know, that person walks in the truth"?

Would others say that a person is faithful, filled with truth, and filled with love? Do they testify that you walk in obedience to God? Would they say that you are humble, gracious, merciful, kind, and gentle, serving as an example to others? Or would they say that you are boastful, proud, overbearing, demanding, harsh, and irritable? This is a challenging thing to think about.

Paul the Apostle, in one of his letters, provides a list of qualifications for those who would be leaders and standouts within the Church, the body of Christ. One of the qualifications he gives for leaders within the Church of God is found in First Timothy, chapter 3, around verse 7. He states that these individuals will have a good testimony with those who are outside; that people will have good things to say about them. It comes back to us: what would be the testimony not just of my "I once was lost, but now I'm found" story that I share with others, but the testimony that other people say about me?

Point number three on your outline is that those who truly know God will be known by their fruit. You might think that’s a weird way to say it. What do I mean by "their fruit"? We have looked many times before at Paul's letter to the Galatians, specifically Galatians 5, verses 22 and 23, which describe what we call the fruit of the Spirit. This is the evidence that God's Spirit is doing a work in me. The fruit of the Spirit, principally and supremely, is love. This love produces certain things: joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

It will be evident in me that God is doing a work in my life, that my soul is healthy, and that people will begin to see love, joy, and peace. What other fruit? Not just the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5, but I think also the fruit of love. We have explored this extensively as we have gone through John's letters—First, Second, and Third John. The fruit of love is the evidence that God's love abides in me, as Paul writes.

In First Corinthians, chapter thirteen, verses four through seven, we read about the characteristics of love. It is patient, it is kind, it is not jealous, it is not boastful or proud, it is not rude, it does not demand its own way, it is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice in injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. It never gives up, it never loses faith, it is always hopeful, and it endures through every circumstance.

This is the fruit that God desires to see manifested in my life as His Spirit works in me. This is an indication that I have a healthy soul, and these qualities begin to be seen not just by me but by other people. What would those people who you interact with on a daily basis say about you if you weren't there? Co-workers, people you go to school with, your spouse, your kids, family members—those who are around you. What would they say? Would they say, "You know, that person is kind," or would they say, "That person's kind of a jerk"?

God desires a total transformation, and He works through His Word and by the working of His Spirit in my life. I need to work that out. God works in me to will and to do His good pleasure, and I work out my salvation with fear and trembling, as stated in Philippians 2, verses 12 and 13.

These are the things that we need to aim at. We have to pick a target to aim at. Every single one of us is orienting our lives towards something, and may it be that we are orienting towards the health of our soul for the glory of God and for our own joy. That is where we will experience the greatest joys—when we are walking in line with what God has promised for us.

So, what would the person who knows you say if you weren't there? Would they say that this person is kind, gracious, humble, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled? Or would they say, "Well, you know, he's kind of a hypocrite. He's actually kind of rude, really untrustworthy. I would say he's a little bit harsh and demeaning of other people. It's hard to work with him, and really hard to..."

Work for those are challenging things to think about. Gaius walked in love; he walked in truth. It was evident in the way that he lived.

Notice what John says in verse 4: "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in the truth." Every parent in the room knows this really well. You know how it is. I have younger kids; my oldest is 11 and my youngest is 6. When they're getting ready to go over to someone's house, you're praying. You laugh because you know the prayer: "God, please let them be a good example. God, please let them use manners, because they sure don't use manners here." You're praying for all these things: "God, do this work in this situation."

What a joy it is when you see that parent later on and they say, "You know, your kid has such great manners." You think, "Good God, I had no idea!" There is no greater joy than to hear that your children are walking it out.

You would be surprised how many times I meet someone who meets one of you. They say, "You know, I met so-and-so; they go to your church." There's part of you that feels proud, thinking, "Yeah, they do." Then you hear this good rapport. I can't tell you, as a pastor, how joyful it is. However, I will say there have been a few times when someone says, "Hey, I met so-and-so; they go to your church." You think, "Why?" Then they say, "Well, I got some bad news for you. They aren't exactly walking it out in the way that they should."

Gaius walked it out, and John continues with Gaius in verses 5 through 8. He says, "Beloved, you do well; you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers who have borne witness of your love before the church." John says there are strangers who come through the church. They come to me and say, "This guy's doing it right." John is hearing about these things. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God...

You do well because they went forth for His namesake, taking nothing from the Gentiles. We therefore ought to receive such that we may become fellow workers for the truth. He is rejoicing in the fact that this man, Gaius, apparently at this point in time in church history, was known for being really good at taking care of the strangers that would come through the church.

These traveling missionaries would come through the church, and the church would customarily take care of them. John says, "Man, this is really good. Keep it up! Please send them on their way in a manner that honors God." What Gaius was doing in taking care of the church was honoring to the Lord. It was for the sake of the name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. We ought, therefore, to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth.

This is a very simple lesson about how we use what has been granted to us. It has a lot to do with how you view the things that you have. Are they yours, or are you a steward of them? How we view the things that have been granted to us by God, because every good and perfect gift comes from God, says a lot about who we are. Gaius used these things for the Lord.

In contrast, look at verse 9. I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have preeminence, does not receive us. Therefore, if I come, if I pass through, I will call to mind his deeds. This is what you call an apostolic warning. I will call to mind his deeds, which he does, prating against us. Another translation says he is spreading malicious nonsense. I will call to mind his gossip, his malicious words, and this man.

Who is not content with that? He himself does not receive the brethren, like Gaius received people hospitably into his home. Diotrephes did not. He is not content; he himself does not receive the brethren and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church.

Then he says in verse 11, "Beloved, Gaius, do not imitate what is evil." What is he implying? The work of Diotrephes, who in name is apparently a Christian and has some position of leadership within the church, is equated with evil. 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.

There will be evidence. John’s exhortation, in light of Diotrephes' actions, is pretty striking. In stark contrast, very John-like, he says the person who walks in righteousness proves by their life that they know God. The person who does not—well, the evidence is there; they have not seen God. They don't really know the Lord. These are heavy words from John, and they reveal point number four: walking in the truth involves calling out sin and encouraging righteousness.

We say it again: walking in the truth. This is what John has been calling believers to do in First John, Second John, and Third John. Walking in the truth involves calling out sin and encouraging righteousness. It can be a very uncomfortable thing to call out sin, but it's necessary. If we're going to walk in obedience, if we're going to walk in love, and if we're going to walk in the truth, we have to identify when someone is not walking rightly.

This is exactly what John is doing here. Diotrephes was not walking in righteousness; he was not walking in obedience to the commands of Scripture. He was not walking in love; he was not walking in the truth. John forcefully says that when he comes, he will deal with this. But he is dealing with it by simply enshrining Diotrephes' name in Scripture so that two thousand years later, we know very little about the...

Atrophies was not doing what he ought to have been doing. These are heavy words in this passage. It almost steals the contrast that is given here: the person who does good is of God, while the person who is evil shows evidence that they do not know God. Sometimes, we have to identify when someone is not walking in line with how they ought to walk as a Christian, and that can be really uncomfortable for you.

However, if you're a Christian and a part of the church, living life in connection with God and one another, then there needs to be moments of iron sharpening iron. This means saying to someone, "Hey, this is not right. What I've heard or seen in your life is concerning." Before you do that, remember what Jesus said: first remove the plank from your own eye so that you can see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. This is found in Matthew chapter 7, verses 1 through 5.

Paul also said that if you see anyone overtaken in a trespass, not doing the right thing, then go to them in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself first, lest you also be tested in the same situation. If you're going to reach out to someone to say, "Listen, I have seen this in your life. You were rude towards people; you are irritable towards others; you are not walking in rightness before God," you need to consider yourself. You need to approach them with gentleness, praying as you go.

We should not back away from calling other people to walk in rightness. Why? Because Atrophies needed to get things together; he needed to work on this. Gaius was walking in rightness, while Atrophies was not.

Now, we are introduced in verse 12 to Demetrius. Demetrius has a good testimony from all. Can you imagine this letter being read corporately in the gathering? Diotrephes is there, Gaius is there, and Demetrius is there. Someone stands up and reads, "Hey, we got a letter from John the Elder. Let's read it." When they mention Diotrephes, everyone kind of looks at him. Demetrius has a good testimony from everybody; everyone has good things to say about him, and from the truth itself, we also bear witness.

Says, "Hey, I can tell you that our testimony is true." Again, each of these three individuals—Gaius, Diotrephes, and Demetrius—we know very little about them. However, what we do know about Demetrius is good. He had a good testimony from everybody; he was a man with a good reputation. Though very little is said about him, I think it brings home a simple truth for us.

Point number five: Live in such a way that earns you a good testimony. If you're a follower of Jesus today, I want to encourage you to commit, by God's enabling power, by the working of His Spirit, and through the direction of His Word, to live in such a way that earns you a good testimony in this world.

Now, you don't earn salvation by your good testimony, but you prove your salvation by your good testimony. You honor the God who saved you by your good testimony. May it be that when people meet you and interact with us in this community, they would say, "That is a person who, though I may not agree with their worldview, I cannot help but say that is a person who walks in righteousness." They walk in a way that honors the things they say they believe from the Scriptures.

Now, some of us today, when we look in the mirror of God's Word—and that's what the Apostle James said—he said that this Word of God is like a mirror. When we look at it, it shines back on us. He encourages the church to be hearers of the Word and doers of the Word, but not to be hearers only, who look in the mirror and forget what they look like.

So, my encouragement today is that maybe we need to take some time to look at ourselves in light of what the Scriptures reveal. Perhaps we should examine those two passages: Galatians 5:22 and 23, which talk about the fruit of the Spirit, and 1 Corinthians 13:4 through 7, which discusses the fruit of love. We need to ask ourselves: Is this describing my life more and more in a progressive way of sanctification, or does this not look like me at all?

If it doesn't look like me at all, that's where we come to the place of repentance and confession. We can say, "God, would You please forgive me?" John wrote in 1 John 1:9 that God is faithful to forgive and to cleanse us.

When we confess our sin to Him, He is faithful to cleanse us, transform us, and make us anew. John finishes his letter and says, "I had many things to write to you" in verse 13, "but I do not wish to write you with pen and ink. But I hope to see you shortly, and we shall speak face to face."

Now, for Gaius, that was going to be great news. John's going to come and visit. For Demetrius, that was also going to be great news—John's coming to visit. For Diotrephes, and maybe for you, when you hear Jesus say in Revelation 22, "Behold, I come quickly," maybe today you would say, "Lord Jesus, come quickly." Or perhaps you would say, "Well, maybe not today," depending on your reaction to those words. "Behold, I come quickly" will tell you about where your heart is today. It's a challenging thing to consider.

Would you stand with me as we close in prayer?

God, I thank You for Your Word. It is living, powerful, and sharper than a two-edged sword. It exposes areas of our lives that are not in line with what You desire. But You do this because You are full of grace and truth, and You desire, through Your truth, to transform us. You desire, by Your grace, to make us completely new.

We pray, God, that You would have Your way in us and that our lives would shine so that this world would see our good works and glorify You, our Father in heaven. Lord, help us to be like a city set on a hill that cannot be hid, to let this light so shine that people would honor and glorify You because of what they see in the way of transformation in our lives.

We ask this today in Jesus' name. We thank You, and all those who agreed said amen.