Daily Manna

Key Verse

“I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have preeminence among them, receiveth us not” (3 John 1:9).

TEXT — 3 John 1:9-11

Message

France, under King Louis XIV (1638-1715), was an absolute monarchy where full power resided with the king. Louis was not subject to any constitutional limitations. He once declared “l’etat, c’est moi”, meaning, “I am the state”. He treated his subjects with contempt throughout his reign. He made it their duty to fund his lavish royal lifestyle and showed no sympathy for their poverty. When he died in 1715, four days before his 77th birthday, his body was borne, amid the jeers of the populace, to the Saint-Denis Basilica. The people showed no sorrow.

In the epistle today, we notice the commendable spirit found in Gaius. Apostle John commended him for walking in the truth and demonstrating love and hospitality towards the brethren and for strangers. In contrast, Diotrephes assumed absolute power over the branch of the church he led. He was ready to crush any opposition to his leadership with brutal force. John felt it necessary to condemn what Diotrephes had done. He refused entry to the brethren under Apostle John’s recommendation and even prevented others in his church from receiving them.

Many behave like Diotrephes in Christian assemblies too. Their dominating and overbearing attitude has succeeded in running many members out of the church. Their very repulsive and toxic attitude has also hindered would-be members from coming and remaining in the church. This category of people in the church, some of whom unfortunately, occupy leadership positions, have forgotten that Jesus Christ, the Head of the church, takes notice of their actions and will, one day, demand accountability from them. We can only imagine what will happen when such people stand at the great white throne judgment.

We need to walk in humility irrespective of our place and privilege. The leadership position is not meant to kill the flock and perpetrate ourselves. If instead of building up the church, we are pulling it down, then we must repent or resign. For some people, it would be easier to make it to heaven from the pew than from the pulpit. Christ’s command to shepherds over the church is ‘feed my sheep’, not ‘feed on my sheep’. The church of Christ is not a field for our greed and exploitation.

Thought for the day

Do not attempt to control what is not yours.

• Bible
• in one year
• Psalms 139 – 150 (Read By Alexander Scourby)