Today’s devotion comes from 3 John 1:9-15.
“9 I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say. 10 For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church.
11 Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God. 12 Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself; and we add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true.
13 I had many things to write to you, but I am not willing to write them to you with pen and ink; 14 but I hope to see you shortly, and we will speak face to face.
15 Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.” 3 John 1:9-15.
———————–
Diotrephes was bad. Demetrius was good.
We need to discipline the bad by name. “For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does …” Verse 10.
Discipline is one of the marks of the true church.
“… The marks, by which the true Church is known, are these: if the pure doctrine of the gospel is preached therein; if she maintains the pure administration of the sacraments as instituted by Christ; if church discipline is exercised in punishing of sin: in short, if all things are managed according to the pure Word of God, all things contrary thereto rejected, and Jesus Christ acknowledged as the only Head of the Church. …” Article 29 of the Belgic Confession. Click here: The Belgic Confession of Faith
But, we also need to praise the good by name. “Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself; and we add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true.” Verse 12.
Barnabas was commended for receiving Paul and confirming the goodness of Paul. “When he (Paul) came to Jerusalem, he was trying to associate with the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus.” Acts 9:26-27.
On the other hand, Diotrephes was reprimanded for rejecting the brethren and “… unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire
to do so and puts
them out of the church.”
3 John 1:10
Names are important. Names identify the good and identify the bad. Names separate the good from the bad. Names prevent mistakes of praising the bad or unjustly accusing the good. Names are important for discipline. Names are important for greeting. Today’s Scripture concludes with the following exhortation: “…Greet the friends by name.” Verse 15.
Who likes to be greeted with just a “Hi.”?! We know they don’t care enough to know our name and that they say “Hi.” in a feeble attempt to make themselves look good, not us.
It is not good enough to shrug your shoulders and state: “I am not good with names.” Use name tags. Repeatedly introduce yourself and others by name. When you forget someone’s name, be humble, apologize, and ask them to repeat their name. Be hospitable, so you get to know them by name. There are also all kinds of other things that you can do. In summary, get to know the people in your church by name.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 