Who to Imitate
3 John 11
The Upward Look
© Copyright 2009, Max D. Hutto,
“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.” 3 John 11 NASB
John writes to his dear friends whom he loves that they should not imitate or mimic the evil done by others. Instead they should imitate and mimic the good that others do. John warns his readers not to be like Diotrephes who slandered John and who demanded that the church follow his own selfish way (vv.9-10). Instead, John encourages them to imitate those who have a good testimony and who follow God’s truth (v.12). When someone has a habit of doing evil, it demonstrates their lack of knowing and understanding God. When someone has a lifestyle of doing good, it shows that they know God.
Lord Jesus, help me to choose as my role models those who are following You. Help me to do good so others will see You in me.
January 16, 2009
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