May 18, 2025 - 3 John 1:11 - "Follow That Which is Good"

3 John 1:11

"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."

In this inspired Scripture, the apostle John gives a pastoral exhortation to his beloved friend Gaius, pointing him to continue to follow after Christ (the only Good). This counsel comes in the context between the faithful example of Gaius and Demetrius, by God’s Grace in Christ, and the harmful, self-serving conduct of Diotrephes, who rejected apostolic authority and acted maliciously toward the brethren.

To "follow after good" means more than outward morality; it is the fruit of a heart regenerated by grace, pursuing the glory of Christ and walking after the Truth, as revealed in the LORD Jesus Who is THE TRUTH. Conversely, to follow evil reveals a heart estranged from God, regardless of religious profession. John’s words are not a general moral appeal but a spiritual call rooted in the Truth of the Gospel: only those born of God can truly do good. Thus, the verse challenges believers to examine whom they imitate, what they value, and how their conduct bears witness to their union with Christ.

In the context, John is speaking specifically of one named Diotrephes who loved to have the preeminence. "I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not" (3 John 1:9). When that's the case, there's always evil that follows. The question then is, how is such evil to be handled? John speaks with firmness and yet love. He's not reacting when he says in verse 9, "he receiveth us not." John is not elevating himself above Diotrephes to say, "Well, because he doesn't receive us, wait until I get there and he's going to find out. I'm going to carry a big stick." John was appointed of the LORD. The very truth of the Gospel is founded upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, "And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;" (Ephesians 2:20). Their instruction that they gave, what we read here in this Word, is the inspired Word of God, and therefore to be received. Not because John said it, but because, just like Paul said, "For I have received of the LORD that which also I delivered unto you... " (1 Corinthians 11:23). Every bit of their instruction was based upon what they had received of the LORD.

Here we find John's instruction on how to deal with this issue. It’s not uncommon—whenever you stand before others to proclaim the Gospel, some will always criticize the doctrine and reject the teaching. In this case, Diotrephes had nothing good to say about the apostles. When he says, "receiveth us not," this isn't unusual. True ministers of the Gospel will be spoken against. It's just part of identifying with the Gospel of Christ. It goes against men's nature, and so it is when Gospel ministers stand to exalt the LORD Jesus Christ. The word exposes the heart. Many times there will be a reaction because even as it says in John 3:19, "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil."

Nothing in this portion of Scripture shows us that John feels like Diotrephes was one of the LORD's, even though he was found among the brethren, and especially in how he uses this language. "Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church" (3 John 1:10). The word “prating” indicates something that is silly and idle. This sounds like what Christ said of the Pharisees, "Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered" (Luke 11:52). And so we see thisa is a very serious matter.

Don't follow after evil, but that which is good. What is good? It is all that pertains to GOD in His glory and attributes (the word “good” being a derivative in English of the word “God”. Therefore, good is that which glorifies the character and attributes of God such as His love, and how He shows mercy. It's forgiveness, kindness, and humility. It reflects a quietness that only the LORD can give. If there's an issue, a situation that is beyond our own ability to resolve, then what we do is prayerfully look to the LORD, seek Him. It's not just a matter of learning the doctrine of grace, but the grace of the doctrine, and to learn grace in the heart and in the spirit, as the LORD is pleased to teach us. So this was how John exhorted them to handle this one Diotrephes.

Then he ends the epistle with a good example. Here was this one, Demetrius in their midst, "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" (3 John 1:12). Why does John commend Demetrius? It is because the LORD, in His sovereign grace, directed him to set forth this man as an example of one who walks in the Truth. Oftentimes, we become preoccupied with those who oppose the Gospel—such as Diotrephes, who "loveth to have the preeminence" (3 John 1:9)—yet the LORD places among us living testimonies of His grace, such as Demetrius. He did not seek recognition or praise from men, for “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble” (James 4:6).

John writes, “Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself” (3 John 1: 12). This is not mere outward reputation, but a fruit of the Spirit’s work in him. He was kind, gracious, and considerate—not by nature, but by grace. When a man is taught of God, made to see himself as a sinner, bankrupt of righteousness, and brought to cry, “God be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18:13), he is made low. Such a soul, being humbled under the mighty hand of God, will walk in meekness with others. He will not exalt himself as Diotrephes did, but will manifest the Truth, not merely in word, but in life. This is the power of God's sovereign grace in Christ, the fruit of the Gospel of Christ, Who “hath made us accepted in the beloved” (Ephesians 1:6).

This verse sets forth the fruit of God's grace in the lives of His redeemed. The work of grace does not merely change a person’s status before God—it affects their walk. Those born of God, who have been effectually called by His grace and justified by the blood of Christ, are also sanctified by the Spirit. They follow after that which is Good (God), not to become children of God, but because they are. Their doing good is the evidence, not the cause, of divine life within them. Grace teaches the believer to deny ungodliness and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world (Titus 2:11–12).

The mark of grace is not perfection, but a Spirit-wrought desire to follow Christ, to walk in truth, and to bear fruit unto God, all to the praise of His glorious grace.