Read: III John 1:1-15

“Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will have nothing to do with us.”
(III John 1:9-10)

Thoughts… It is a given that in most churches, sadly, there are those who assume the position of “church boss.” Perhaps they do so because of their years of service in the church, or their level of financial support, or they assume their success outside the church translates into authority inside it, or perhaps their talents and spiritual gifts give them more visibility than the average church attendee.

Whatever the reason, they assume a position of power. They begin to call the shots. They push for their preferences. They oppose the direction of the true spiritual leaders of the church. They make the flock miserable. And they begin to squeeze the life out of the fellowship.

In far too many churches, “church bosses” (there may be several in one church) prevent the church from being a prevailing force in its community that God intends. Rather, a controlling spirit attaches itself to the church through the foothold provided by these people, and Satan gains the upper hand.

The mark of authentic spiritual leadership in a church is not power, but humility. The one who leads best leads from a position of servanthood and sacrifice. True leaders deflect praise and acknowledgement back to God rather than grabbing it for themselves. They care more about the unity of the Spirit rather than having their own way. They willingly lay down their life (their rights, wishes, preferences and position) for the glory of God and the health of the church.

“Church bosses” only maintain their position of power as they are empowered by the people. So be careful to ascribe authority in your fellowship only to those who lead authentically—humbly, sacrificially and for the praise and glory of God.

It is not an overstatement to say that the life and health of your church depends on it.

Prayer… Father, may a spirit of humility characterize my fellowship through and through. Remove any vestiges of pride, control and selfishness. Make us into a church of servants, for your name’s sake.

One More Thing… “The moment you wake up each morning, all your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists in shoving it all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other, larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in.” —C.S. Lewis

Read: II John 1:1-13

“I ask that we love one another. And this is love: that we walk in
obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the
beginning, his command is that you walk in love.”
(II John 1:5-6)

Thoughts… Love is more than just a feeling, although feelings of love are quite nice. The emotion of love is only a small part of the love equation. If you base your love on feelings and emotions, your love will be inconsistent and unpredictable—there one day and gone the next.

True love is much more than that. The highest expression of love is to obey the commands of God. And the commands of God are best summed up in the great commandment: To love God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength…and to love your neighbor as yourself.

True love means to put God first. True love means to give your heart and soul in full devotion to the Heavenly Father. True love means to accept his Son, Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. True love means to fully commit your life to God’s purposes. True love means to lay down your life for other believers. True love means to share your faith with lost people. True love means to care about the things that God cares about. True love is all of those things, and more.

But true love is not naïve. True love does not mean accepting all things and all people. True love does not mean blind tolerance and unlimited inclusiveness. The truth is, there is evil in the world, and true love hates that evil. And since evil is at its best when it masquerades as good, true love requires great discernment and constant alertness. True love is required to oppose those who worm their way into the church with deceptive doctrines that have the potential to lead people away from the truth and thus destroy their souls.

That’s what John’s second epistle is all about. Though very brief, his letter is powerful and pointed. He is writing to the leader of the church, exhorting them to continue to love, but to love with an eye out for ravenous wolves in sheep’s clothing that are penetrating the fellowship, seeking to devour the flock.

God’s call to love is the same for you and me as it was for these people to whom John wrote. We are to invest our lives in loving. But our love isn’t true unless it is willing to reject falsehood and oppose evil people, especially when both try to pass themselves off as good.

By all means, love—but keep your eyes open!

Prayer… Father, give me a discerning love!

One More Thing… “The safest road to hell is the gradual one—the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.” —C.S. Lewis