3 John

Life in the church on earth is not always easy. We were warned about this by the Lord, and the evidence in Acts and the New Testament epistles has demonstrated to us that church trouble was a reality from the beginning years of conflict in Jerusalem, continuing on with the movement of the gospel throughout Israel and into the world of the Gentiles. It is also abundantly clear that church problems are not merely coming from outside persecutors, but also from leaders within the church who have gone ahead of God into strange doctrines and disobedient patterns of living.

When the apostles write about these wrenching situations they show their deep concern for the health and life of the body of Christ. Sometimes this concern requires decisive action for the correction and even removal of a beloved leader in a particular church if that man has forgotten that the church belongs to Jesus and not to him.

This is any easy mistake for people to make who are so invested in the progress of the Lord's kingdom. We hope that all that is necessary is a word of correction that will restore humility, reason, and spiritual discernment. But if that correction proves ineffectual, it may be necessary for a person to step aside from his position of leadership, at least for a season.

The mixed message of church vitality and church trouble traveled from person to person in the ancient world, as visitors from one church had occasion to visit another. As people served together over the years, relationships of trust developed, and hidden problems of pride and misconduct began to be apparent. This is the way that things always happen in a fallen world. But normal is not always acceptable, and some problems require a response.

Sometimes we hear good news that people are walking in truth. This does not mean that their lives are free from adversity, but over time they respond faithfully to trouble by the grace of God. They demonstrate their love for Christ, for the Word, and for the family of God by welcoming those who truly come in the Name of the Lord, provided that they have been sent forth from a trusted source. A reasonable way of demonstrating approval historically has been the carrying of a letter of recommendation. If John sent traveling preachers and teachers to a church with such a letter, he would have expected that those individuals would be treated with all respect and love as trusted servants of the Lord, though they may have been strangers to those who were greeting them in this new location. To ignore this apostolic communication was a tremendous affront. To habitually put such visitors out of the church was evidence of significant sin and insubordination against the authority of Christ who had sent John forth as His apostle. Those with John's approval should have been received well by the church and sent on their way with provisions for their journey to the next location where they would serve, just as one would have treated Christ Himself. A love for the Lord and His truth demands this.

Yet there have always been leaders in the churches who have forgotten their place, and who insist on putting themselves first, even above Christ. Think of the audacity of a man like Diotrephes, mentioned by name in this letter, who would not acknowledge the authority of the apostle! John intended to correct this man in person during his next visit to that church. He announces in this letter that he will speak to him about specific offenses. This man was talking against John and forcing the apostle's messengers out of the church. He also persecuted anyone who would welcome John's associates, and insisted that they be put out of the church as well. There is a need for church leaders to be careful about who comes into the church expecting to teach instantly. We saw this point in 2 John. But any necessary restriction can also be taken too far. If a pastor insists that he is the only man who can teach in the church, he has forgotten whose house this is. He needs to remember again who gave His life that we might live. Jesus owns the church. No one else has absolute authority over the body of Christ.

This kind of arrogance must be stopped, or people will assume that this is what strong leaders are supposed to do in the Lord's household. Yes, they must be strong in protecting the flock from error and immorality, but they must be meek in submitting to apostolic authority, now contained for us in the Scriptures, and submissive to true authority in the church out of reverence for Christ. If an arrogant man will not be corrected on this matter, he is not only a poor shepherd of the flock; he has not really known God. We need to lead as Jesus led; protective of the weak, but correcting the proud who presume that they are kings over the Lord's temple. If the true King of the church was humble enough for a cross, are we who follow him to continually talk about our position, our authority, our special garments, and all our privileges? This is unseemly behavior. We should correct ourselves on these matters quickly before the Lord has to restrain our ugly pride in His own way.

Thankfully the Lord does provide for His church men who are true examples of Christ-like love and service. One Demetrius is mentioned here. He is a safe man to follow, and so is the apostle John who commends Him. But let us especially follow Jesus, who has granted to us the apostolic Word recorded for us in the New Testament. Let us turn away from all showy pride. It will kill us and others, and it is not becoming of one who claims to follow a King who died for His flock on a cross.