Today’s reading is 3 John 1.
We discussed Gaius and his hospitality yesterday. By great contrast, we also meet Diotrephes. The sad description of this man says it all: “who likes to put himself first” (3 John 9).
Obviously, someone who puts himself first in opposition to an apostle is way out of bounds. He’s just wrong. I would never, ever do anything like that. Right? And this is where we today need to take care. Diotrephes serves as a warning. I don’t know how Diotrephes was able to justify himself while specifically rejecting an apostle who actually walked and talked with Jesus. Yet, he did, even while John was still alive and able to react.
And here’s the important question. Do you think Diotrephes knew he was a Diotrephes? Or do you think Diotrephes had convinced himself he was doing what was best for the church? Yeah. I’m betting it was that second option as well. Where does that put us today? We are sure we’d never do anything like Diotrephes. But if his arrogance was able to drive him to such lengths while John was still alive, how might we deceive ourselves when none of the apostles are living to call us out?
None of us want to be in charge just for the sake of being in charge, right? We all know too much to fall for such obvious arrogance, pride, and narcissism. But I understand the truth. I’ve studied hard. I’ve figured out what all the Bible passages mean and those who disagree with me are wrong. Worse, they are putting everyone else in danger. I need to protect all the younger Christians and all the newer Christians from all the teachers of error out there. I need to direct all the other Christians who don’t know as well as I do how to live. I need to protect the congregation from everyone who might lead it astray. All the way along I convince myself I’m putting the Bible first, the apostles first, Jesus first. But I accomplish it by putting myself first.
Of course, I need to defend truth as I understand it. However, if I defend truth by putting myself in control, but putting myself first, I can rest assured I’m not defending truth. Frankly, for those who shepherd, deacon, and preach, this takes an incredible level of self-awareness and brutal self-honesty to avoid. Brethren often look to us for leadership. We want to do that well. Leaders with strong personalities can end up putting themselves first and not even realizing it. They convince themselves they are merely protecting the church while they end up just running the show. We become Diotrephes while thinking we are Gaius.
How do we avoid this? Develop relationships with other Christians with the very specific permission to call us on the carpet. John isn’t here to do it. We have to find someone who will. Part of being in the congregational relationship is having to learn to submit to others. It means having to figure out how to get along when not everything goes our way. If you discover you have practically become the sole gatekeeper for membership in the congregation, for who gets to teach in the congregation, for who gets help in the congregation, for the important decisions in the congregation, step back and take a long hard look. If you realize it’s really been a long time since the decision in the eldership, in the leadership meeting, in the planning meetings haven’t gone your way, step back and take a long hard look. The chances that you alone above everyone else know how all of it should go are so slim, you may have become a Diotrephes.
Who in your life has permission to be brutally honest with you about your attitude, your approach, your teaching, your perspective? Who in your discipleship has permission to call you on the carpet? If the answer is no one, take care. Don’t be a Diotrephes.
Tomorrow’s reading is 3 John 1.
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PATHS:
Discuss Today’s Meditation with Your Family
How does 3 John admonish you?
Read the Bible 