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 1:11
Throughout life, we all witness a variety of different examples. There are many people who I remember from growing up who set an example for me. Of course, there was my family, who set a good Christian example of how to live. But more than just my family, there were many other Christians who had a tremendous impact on my life.
Many of these Christians were people who I attended church with. I remember hearing their testimony of how God had changed their life. Some were alcoholics, drug addicts, and sinners of many various types. Some were rich, some were poor, but all gave an example of living for God. They showed how important it was to do good in the world, following the example of Jesus.
John had just finished writing about Diotrephes in the verses prior. He described the life and testimony of Diotrephes. Then he gets to verse 11 and says, don’t follow the evil, but follow the good. It was the idea to live in the example that Diotrephes had set before them.
We have all seen both good and bad examples in our lives. No matter what the example, or who set the example, our desire should be to do that which is good. But it’s not always easy to do good when we live in a world surrounded by sin and evil.
This verse gives us a couple of challenges. The first is that we ask God to help us walk in the way that is good. That we commit in our hearts to following the good example of those who left an example for us.
The second is that we understand that our lives are leaving an example for others. In everything we do, others are watching. Are we leading others toward God and good, or are we leading them astray? Our desire should be to leave behind a good example, compelling others toward good, rather than evil.
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