A Good Testimony

I was encouraged this morning by 3 John, a letter written by the apostle John to Gaius.  In the body of the letter John addressed Diotrephes, a man who loved to have the pre-eminence in the church--perhaps the same church body Gaius was part of.  Diotrephes was described as one who was inhospitable and unwelcome to fellow believers, including the apostles.  He was given to slander and gossip about brothers in Christ and excommunicated those who were friendly towards them.  Diotrephes was a man in a leadership role in a church whose heart and actions revealed fundamental ignorance of God.

John assured Gaius he would personally address the situation upon his arrival.  In light of Diotrephes, John's exhortation is a comfort to all people who discover problems with church people in 3 John 1:11:  "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."  Gaius was reminded he was beloved of the LORD and of John.  He and the brethren were not without help or consolation in the conflict concerning Diotrephes.  John nor Gaius needed to be moved by fear of man or worry over what to do.  There was no need for retaliation or immediate intervention.  Gaius was told not to imitate evil, but to keep doing what is good.  Doing good was something, by the grace of God, Gaius and we can do.

John did not saddle Gaius with the responsibility of attempting to enforce church discipline upon Diotrephes, to gather together men intent on dethroning him, or to flee from fellowship.  Gaius was to avoid following Diotrephes' sinful ways and follow Jesus Christ in obedience, humility and submission.  Even if Gaius was the next person to be thrown out of the church, he was not to resort to the ways of Diotrephes in an attempt to set things right.  It is not uncommon for conflict or difficulties to arise between people in the church.  A bigger potential problem than the original offence is when troubled believers do not respond with grace and humility in dealing with their own sin, justifying ungodly means to expose flawed leaders with fleshly tactics like Diotrephes did.

Whether a person is in a leadership role in the church or not, the command of John is one we all ought to take to heart.  We are not to imitate evil examples but to do what is good.  Those who are of God will walk in the steps of our LORD Jesus Christ in humility, meekness, and obedience to the Father.  The church Diotrephes was a part of were blessed and benefitted greatly from having brothers like Gaius and Demetrius around as John said in 3 John 1:12, men unspoiled by the wicked influence of Diotrephes:  "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."  In refusing to imitate evil and doing what is good, may our lives be a good testimony to all that we know God and walk in truth.

Choose Your Judgment

"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. ² For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death."

Romans 8:1-2

There is safety in keeping the laws of the land, for such are protected as upright and responsible citizens.  The Bible says when born-again Christians confess their sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us all our sins (1 John 1:9).  It is on the basis of Christ satisfying the righteous requirements of the Law of Moses and His atoning sacrifice we are forgiven, receive a full pardon and are rendered righteous by faith in Jesus.  The law of the Spirit of life in Christ has freed us from the law of sin of death, and this is reason for rejoicing by living righteously.

Because of the Gospel freely offered to everyone, all people have the responsibility and opportunity to choose what side of God's judgment they will be on:  condemnation that leads to eternal death or pardon that leads to eternal life.  In a court of law the accuser and accused present their case before the judge.  As it stands all people are naturally guilty as sin before God and have no hope of exoneration.  Those who deny their guilt will be exposed as evildoers, and those who humble themselves with contrite hearts, admitting their wickedness and appealing to Jesus Christ the Saviour of the world, will be redeemed and saved.

I have observed a variety of reactions of people in relation to court judgments.  I have seen the prosecution celebrate the guilty verdict, and some who have been condemned have been incredulous and continued to assert their innocence and desire to appeal.  On the other hand, I have seen the decision of "Not Guilty" celebrated by the accused and their supporters, exonerated from all accusations.  In that situation the accused are the ones who feel the verdict was a miscarriage of justice and lament the court's decision.  What is amazing is God's judgment of believers is not that we are "Not Guilty" (because we are indeed guilty of all manner of sin) but righteous based upon the payment Jesus made for our sin with His own blood.

Having been made free from the condemnation of God's Law and sin's curse that brings death, we are spared the eternal judgment and wrath of God.  Instead we have the promise of the abundant life that now is found in Jesus and eternal life that is to come.  God has given everyone the choice of which side of God's justice we will experience:  His eternal pardon or condemnation.  There are no appeals possible for the one who dies in their sins.  The wise willingly humble themselves and say, "God be merciful to me, a sinner!"  The one who trusts in Christ who is righteousness for us is the one who will go home to heaven justified.

Transformation by Grace

As I prepared for this week's sermon, an illustration came to mind of how God seeks and saves the lost.  People could be compared to an abandoned, neglected car that is rusting away in a pile of debris.  Most people would look at a wreck and see it as junk and a worthless liability:  a heap of perished rubber, broken glass, and rat-infested interior.  But to the savvy car enthusiast, it is a dream to find a rare and valuable car which can be purchased to restore to peak condition.  Imagine if the one who designed a one-of-a-kind car found his own priceless design rusting away in a garage and was willing to give everything for it.  That's similar to what Jesus has done for us sinners.

When God looks at lost sinners created in the image of God, He knows what He created us to be.  In our natural condition we are dead in sins, like a car that cannot be started or driven because it lacks a battery, tyres or steering wheel.  Jesus came to seek and save the lost and died on Calvary to provide atonement for our sins.  In receiving Christ by faith, we are born again and God begins a process to restore us and make us more like Jesus.  This is a work God delights to do--not as a hobby for hours on evenings or weekends, but by fellowship continually with Him every day.

God is not interested to purchase us with His own blood for resale value or as a trophy for a showroom, but so when He steps on the accelerator we will roar to life; when He touches the brakes we will respond automatically to the leading of the Holy Spirit and conviction from His word.  He wants us to yield to His guiding hand as He directs every moment.  Our redeemed, restored lives are not stored in a garage or only utilised for road trips, but we have been adopted as children of God and fit for our Father's use and good purposes today.  He designed us, created our personality, gave us precise specifications according to His wisdom, and knows exactly what we need to fulfill our purpose to glorify Him.

How blessed we are to be called and purchased with the precious blood of Jesus!  Our lives are a testimony of God's redemption and love, for while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.  God's plans for us are better than we could have ever dreamed for ourselves.  Even in our suffering God's grace is evident towards us as it is written in 1 Peter 5:10-11:  "But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. ¹¹ To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen."  God does more than maintain us but transforms us from glory to glory.  When God allows suffering we are better for it, and what a glorious journey we are on by His grace.

The Open Bible

Back when I was a student, as best I could I read the assigned material and learned to take notes during lectures.  This helped me to be prepared for pop-quizzes that I always found challenging.  I always appreciated when we were allowed to have "open book" quizzes or exams.  It relieved a lot of pressure knowing all the answers were already at hand:  all I had to do was read the question or problem, sift through the information in my notes, and answer the question properly.

This week at Camp Kedron Micah 6:8 was our theme verse that says, "He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"  God has demonstrated and instructed all people what is good through His wisdom and the Word that became flesh, Jesus Christ.  The scripture is full of God doing justly, loving to show mercy and humility to give His only begotten Son as a sacrifice for sinners.  Everything man makes has a function and purpose, and thus it follows we have requirements based upon an accepted standard.  God holds man accountable to meet His requirements, and by faith in Jesus our LORD enables us to do His will by doing justly, loving mercy and walking humbly with Him.

Do you know our lives on earth could be compared with an open book exam?  God has given us the Bible, not just to convey information for us to memorise, but to transform us and guide us to live in the way that pleases Him.  No matter in what season of life we find ourselves, we are provided comfort, directives and correction by God we are wise to put into regular personal practice.  I doubt I would fare well on the course material I was quizzed on years ago because it was not something I used in daily life.  There are mathematic problems and historical questions I could not recall even months later because I never really learned them:  I simply regurgitated information to pass the quiz when the details were fresh in my mind.  Having open book tests all the time doesn't help us retain information because we don't have to learn or put the details to practical use--like all those phone numbers stored in our phones we cannot remember.

God's word provides guidance when we face a problem, yet it is also our daily bread.  It is something that will profit us very little if we reduce its use as a textbook to navigate doctrinal conflict or find fault with others when it is designed to feed and strengthen our souls every day.  By reading the scriptures and meditating on them every day we are guided in real time to consider God, obey Him and seek to honour Him with our attitudes, choices and outlook.  How good God is to speak the truth about Himself and ourselves that is relevant in the past, present and future!  May people called by God's name be those who open the Bible regularly, hungry and humble to receive all God speaks to us so we might walk by faith in obedience to Him.