“Dear friend, don’t let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God’s children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God.”
3 John 1:11 NLT
What is the bad example referred to? A man called Diotrephes who was controlling a church and not supporting travelling teachers. This man is now remembered in scripture as a man who opposed John and attempted to control a church. There is no record that Diotrephes repented. John says above: ‘those who do evil prove that they do not know God’.
Attempting to control a church or a group of people is not good. Fortunately this is not the case at my church in Kathmandu. I am grateful that I have a group of friends who stand up for themselves and not one of us controls the group. We are all strong personalities and can defend ourselves. However, we also know how to submit to church authority.
Yesterday our church had a community lunch after the service. It is mostly attended by Pakistani refugees with a smattering of foreigners. The message was good yesterday. Our pastor talked about not showing favouritism. He asked if we prefer our friends over others in the church? It was a good question, and one that provoked me to examine my own attitudes. I now belong to an advocacy group in the church called Empowerment of Displaced Communities. Our refugees are displaced from Pakistan, Bangladesh and other countries around Nepal. This group keeps me focussed on helping my neighbours and not keeping to my selected group of friends.
John’s word speak to me about keeping the Lord’s focus and not being selective in my connections but welcoming all.
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