DCLM Higher Everyday 9 October 2022 — A bullying believer
DCLM Higher Everyday 9 October 2022 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — A bullying believer
TOPIC: A BULLYING BELIEVER?
TEXT: 3 JOHN 1:5-10
5Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;
6Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:
7Because that for his name’s sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.
8We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.
9I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
10Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.
MEMORY VERSE: “I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not” (3 JOHN 1:9).
MESSAGE:
The third letter from John was written by “the Elder” to a church leader named Gaius. The writer praised him because he helped other believers, including strangers (v5), but warned against a man named Diotrephes.
Diotrephes was a self-acclaimed leader in the local church who loved having pre-eminence among the brethren. He loved to be in charge to dominate others. He showed no respect for leadership both in speech and action.
He was also a staunch antagonist of the brethren that were mobile preachers of God’s word. He not only refused to help or welcome them but also forbade others from doing so.
Also Read: DCLM Higher Everyday 8 October 2022 — Touched by others’ troubles
If Diotrephes were a Christian leader, he would have cared for others. J. Oswald Sanders said, “The true leader regards the welfare of others rather than his own comfort and prestige as of primary concern.”
The life and character of Diotrephes is not a commendable one. Just as Gaius was commended and Diotrephes condemned in our text, so also God rewards or condemns people according to their works. Are you a ‘bullying Christian’ youth? Repent now!
QUOTE: Are you a ‘bullying Christian’ youth?
CHALLENGE: Let others see Jesus in you.
PRAYER: Lord, help me to always represent you well.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
