III John 12 Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.

Little is known about Demetrius. There is mention in the book of Acts of a Demetrius who was a silver smith who helped lead a rebellion in Ephesus. If this is the same Demetrius, then Demetrius life changed from one who made idols to one who is held in high respect among the church. If it is the same person, it is a testimony to God of how HE can change a man and lead him from his wicked ways and make him a new man. God did it with Paul; he definitely could have done it with Demetrius.

Whether or not this is the same Demetrius from Ephesus, the important thing that God wants us to know about Demetrius is that he had a good report of all men. The Bible only gives us a brief look at Demetrius’ life, but God does not waste words, there is an important lesson that we need to learn for our lives today. God did not give Demetrius an entire book of the Bible. God did not give us a long history of all the good things that Demetrius did. Instead, God simply gave us an example of a person who was living their lives in a way that was pleasing to the Lord. God wanted us to see Demetrius’ example.

God did not want us to know much about Demetrius. Throughout the Bible you see these very short sections that covers an individuals life. Demetrius did not receive the coverage like Peter, John, or Paul received, but God definitely saw something in Demetrius’ life that HE desired we emulate.

What does it mean to have a good report of all men? It meant that Demetrius lived his life loving the Lord with all his heart and loving his neighbor as himself. His fellow man saw how Demetrius lived his life and they did not have a bad thing to say about Demetrius. Demetrius’ life was salt and light unto the world. The world looked at Demetrius and they understood that Demetrius was not like everyone else. They world looked at him knew that God had changed his life.

It was not just the world who knew that there was something different about Demetrius. John from a distance had heard of the reputation of Demetrius and took the time to commend Demetrius and to encourage Gaius to observe his behavior. Because of Demetrius’ high moral character, the Christians knew of his good report both locally and abroad. Demetrius was an example to even the believers on how they should live their lives to a higher standard.

What kind of reputation do you have among your fellow men? Do others look up to you as an example of one who they should follow or as one who they should not follow? Your life needs to be an example to both the believers and the unbelievers of what God can do through one who follows HIM.

If you desire to be like Demetrius and have a good report among men, then you need to put aside the things of this world and start living your life for God. As you fill your mind with the things of God, God will change your life and HE will use you to greatly influence others for God. By adding virtue to your faith, God will become apart of who you are and no longer will you be living this life for your own selfish purposes.

3 John 11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

Every day you are faced with a decision; are you going to do good or are you going to do evil? People do you wrong, but it is still your choice how you are going to respond. You do not have to return evil for evil, you can choose to do good.

God created this perfect earth, yet we chose to do evil and bring wickedness into the land. However, God gave us a way of escape. God returned the evil we did to HIM by showing HIS goodness in sending HIS Only Son to come and die for our sins so that we might be saved. God chose to show us HIS kindness and mercy. We still must accept the gift of Salvation, but it was by God’s goodness that we may live.

During the Sermon on the Mount, Christ Commanded us that we are to “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). Christ not only instructed us how we are to respond to our adversaries, but HE also demonstrated it by HIS actions here on this earth.

Anyone can hate their enemies. If you hate your enemies, how can the world see that you are any different? It is when you demonstrate love to those who do you wrong that you are able to demonstrate to the world God’s love. It is when you turn the other cheek that the world is able to see that there is something different about your life.

God is not a God of hate and revenge; HE is a God of love. If you proclaim to be HIS child, then your life must reflect HIS love. This means that you must obey HIS commands and you must live your life so that you reflect to the world HIS love and HIS mercy. If you choose to live your life according to the world, God is not glorified by your life and the world will not see God based upon your actions.

Being a child of God must change your life. You can no longer live your life according to the ways of the world. You must forsake the old life and now must live your life in accordance with HIS truth and HIS mercy. It is not easy to forsake the ways of the world; they are engrained in your life and those around you. However, by God’s grace, you can overcome the clutches of the world. By God’s grace you can live your life so that God is glorified. By God’s grace you can properly reflect God’s love to a lost and dieing world.

You must change your thinking. No longer is it about what you want, it is about what is important to God. You must start following the example of your Father so that you do not ruin HIS reputation. The world does not have a good impression of God because they do not have a good impression about those who proclaim to be Christians. If you want the world to know the love of God, then you must be the one to demonstrate it to them.

As long as you allow the world to dominate your thinking, you will be selfish and your actions will not demonstrate to the world the love of God. However, if you fill your mind with the things of God, then God’s love will naturally flow from you and the world will see that God has made a difference in your life. By adding God’s virtue to your life, your life can now become a shining example to others of God’s love and forgiveness.

III John 3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.

When others talk about you, what do they talk about? Do they speak about your walk with God or do they speak about other characteristics that have no eternal value? Too many Christians strive to be like the world. They work hard at being recognized by those around them for those traits that have no eternal impact.

What is the most important thing to you? Is it your relationship with God? Do you spend time every day filling your mind with thoughts that are pleasing to God? Do not be like the world. Do not allow money, power, or prestige to become your god. Do not allow your mind to be filled with the lusts of the eye, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life.

When others speak of you, they should naturally speak about your walk with God. Your walk with God should be an example to them of what it is like to be a Christian. When the world looks at you, they should see the light of God. They should know that there is something different about you. When fellow believers speak about your walk with God, they should be encouraged to follow your example.

What kind of example are you? Are you one who encourages others to spend more time in the Bible or are you one who encourages others to live like the world? Are you one who encourages others to draw closer to God or are you one who causes your brother to stumble? Are you one who encourages others to love the Lord with all their heart or are you one who encourages others to love the things of this world?

You must take the time to fill your life with those things that are pleasing to God. As you take the time to fill your mind with those things that are true, your life will change. It is out of the abundance of your heart that your mouth speaks. If you fill your heart and mind with things that are of this world, then naturally, your words will be words of the world. However, if you do what is right and fill your heart and mind with the truth of God’s word, then when you speak, you will naturally speak the truth of God’s word.

God has allowed you to face many trials. These trials are an opportunity for you to prove to God and others what is in your heart. Furthermore, after you have overcome the trial, the trial is a testimony that you can share with others to encourage them to keep the faith no matter how difficult life becomes. When others face trials, if you have properly handled your own trials, then you can help others do what is right in the eyes of God.

Who is your life pleasing to? Is God pleased with your life or is it Satan? You cannot serve both God and man. In this passage we see that Gaius has chosen to live his life for God. HE has filled his life with the truth and it is evident to all that God is the one whom he has chosen to serve.

You must take time to fill your life with God’s truth. When you take the time to fill your life with God’s truth, you are adding virtue to your faith. By adding virtue to your life, your life will now be a testimony to the world of what God can do with one who is totally dedicated to HIM. It is by filling your mind with truth that the world will even be able to see what truth is. Your testimony may be their only example they see of God’s light.