June 28, 2024 - 3 John 1:9-10

“I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church.” 3 John 1:9-10 ESV

Lord, help us not be people like Diotrephes. John describes him in this verse as a person who likes to put himself first. He was a leader in the church. At some point he likely started with a good heart, or he would not have been in the position that he was in. Yet, somewhere along the way his flesh started taking control. It became about him instead of about you, Lord. It can be easy to read this and think negative thoughts about Diotrephes, but if we take an honest look at ourselves, how much would we see that our own flesh is also causing us issues.

Lord, we invite you to come and open our eyes to places where we are walking in the flesh. Where do we like to put ourselves first? Where have we stopped acknowledging your authority and the authority you have put in others? Is there any place in which we have pushed those who are seeking you down or away? Lord, please forgive us. Help us put our flesh and pride to death. Help us learn to love and honor others the way you did. Even those that are hard for us to love. Jesus, you were such an amazing example of how to love those our society called outcasts. Help us walk in that kind of love and selflessness. Help us honor those you have put in authority, even those that have issues with for one reason or another. Lord, make us more like you and not like Diotrephes.

In Jesus name, amen.