3 John 1:11 NKJV
“Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.”
Much like the previous ages, there is not a place where evil is absent in our day. In some places, it appears strange to do ethical and righteous things because of the so much evil that goes on ‘normally’. The Lord Jesus saw our day and warned that “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold” (Mat 24:12 NIV). However, in every age, situation, or among a people, God always has a remnant. They are those in whose hearts God’s word is firmly established and “…who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:5 NIV).
Despite the shortfalls God’s people have had in this life, for the most part, there is a deep-seated longing to live right and do good in every truly regenerated child of God. That is so because there is an ongoing sanctification process by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God in us who believe (Joh 17:17; Php 2:13; 2 The 2:13). John gives us subtle yet important counsel (in our text), saying, “Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good.” Hallelujah! That implies that we can actually do what is good in God’s sight and not be deceived, as the devil would, into believing that we are slaves of unrighteousness and wickedness in all its forms.
The truth is, the Spirit of God made His abode in us from the day we first believed in and received Christ into our hearts. As a result of His presence and work in us, the Scripture says, “Sin can’t tell you how to live. After all, you’re not living under that old tyranny any longer. You’re living in the freedom of God” (Rom 6:14 MSG). That said, in Christ Jesus, it is possible for us not to imitate what is evil, but what is good. Child of God, like Daniel did, purpose in your heart not to defile yourself with what is displeasing to the LORD (Dan 1:8). Rather, let us honour the LORD for the privilege of being part of His remnant who “…take root downward and bear fruit upward” (2 Kin 19:30 AMP). Hallelujah!
Pst. Emmanuel