Who Do You Listen To?

What is the added value of this letter, concentrating on the varying reception given to traveling preachers by Gaius, Demetrius (good guys) and Diotrephes (bad guy)? Its major contribution is in grounding the truths John has been expounding throughout his letters. How did the early church deal with the threat of false teaching? Naive acceptance of well-crafted, skillfully communicated deviations from the truth is a danger; but, equally, there are leaders, exemplified by Diotrephes, who appoint themselves as the sole arbiters of what “their” people should hear or be exposed to, and thus cut people off from the truth. The British preacher Charles Simeon’s first 12 years as minister of Holy Trinity Church in early nineteenth-century Cambridge were plagued by church officers who locked the pews. They were determined that not only would they not go to church but that they would also block others from doing so. Like the disciples, there are people wanting the top spot (9; Matt. 20:20-28), a position which refuses to acknowledge anyone else’s leadership. It is deeply disappointing when leaders cannot find it within themselves to benefit from the ministry of others, sometimes even struggling over a simple “thank you.”

Where the truth is spoken, it should be affirmed and supported (8). The speaker does not need to be me, my appointee or from my theological camp (5). Someone whom I invited to speak at an SU Scotland event once expressed surprise, suggesting that I was taking a risk by inviting someone from their tribe within evangelicalism. However, I had every confidence that they would be faithful to Scripture, and I was not disappointed. What does living the truth mean if it does not include generosity of spirit, hospitality, and openness without gullibility?

“[I will] always moderate … the unkindness which is expressed toward others” (Charles Simeon, 1759-1836). Consider and respond, perhaps in repentance, to Simeon’s rule.