Diotrephes and Demetrius

Today’s reading: 3 John 1:1-15

“Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true.” - ‭‭3 John‬ ‭1:12‬ ‭ESV‬‬

This letter from John is a tale of two Ds. We would do well to lean into the differences between Diotrephes and Demetrius.

Diotrephes is your typical control freak. If we’re honest, we’ve all fallen into this trap. This small way of living is when we refuse to listen to anyone else as an authority. We sincerely believe that we don’t need help, and we refuse to grow.

Then there is Demetrius. No matter what angle you choose to look at his life, he is approved. He has a reputation as someone who follows what is right. The church was testifying, John was giving witness, and the truth itself was also confirming. He wasn’t scheming for control; he was placing his faith in the bedrock of truth found in Jesus. Others were noticing.

So, who do you want to be? Someone who is the resident expert, without the need of help? Or a teachable person, always looking for new ways to do good.