After a good example and a bad example, John starts to wrap up his letter about individually living the truth with a testimony.
11 Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God. 12 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.
Demetrius is given as a good example of one living the truth, he has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. To this, John adds his testimony, which he says is true.
How then do we go about getting a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself? I’d suggest we start with v.11; imitate good and do good.
How do we imitate good?
Look to those in church leadership – Hebrews 13.7
Look to those who serve the most vulnerable – James 1.27
Look to those who care for the smallest of our family – Matthew 18.10
Look to those who put other’s needs above their own – Philippians 2.3
The truth of Jesus professed and possessed will start to change us from the inside out, and will inescapably draw us towards examples of the Godly character John speaks of (vv.5-6, 12).
Over time, we will start to imitate the good we see in others, and eventually become a witness ourselves to the truth that lives in us, all to the greater glory of God.
Point to ponder – who can I imitate today, or who can I witness to today?
Prayer – Father, we thank you for the examples of Godly character that you have put in our lives. Help us to all grow into these very examples, so that the truth of Jesus can be passed on, inherited, and witnessed to everyone we meet. Amen.
James Travis 