[H]e is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.

 3 John 1

[H]e is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. Colossians 1:18

I continue my study of 1,2,3 John using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for these books.  Today, my study consists of a commentary-assisted review of 3 John 1, focusing on the second division - vv9-10 and the associated commentary (Diotrephes: A Man with a Harmful Agenda). Diotrephes is described as a negative example of someone walking in the truth (see post yesterday on Gaius).  He puts himself first (as opposed to demonstrating humility and allowing others to see Jesus through him) and does not acknowledge the authority of John and the other church leaders and apostles (as opposed to submitting to church leadership).  Diotrephes is then described as slandering those in the church (see Proverbs 10:18 and James 4:11 on this).  Finally Diotrephes is described as not demonstrating hospitality and support/encouragement for other believers.  The commentary shares how Diotrephes was arrogant, wanted to be the church boss - to bring glory to himself vs God - stirred up conflict through slanderous accusations against John and church leadership, and failed to support others in the church.  We are referred to Colossians 1:18 where Jesus is "first place in everything" and encouraged to avoid attempting to taking the place only Jesus holds.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion - You came not to be served but to serve and to be an example for those who submit and follow You.  You willingly laid down Your life for all of humanity to give life.  Thank You Jesus for my salvation and for continuing to intercede for me daily.  I am not deserving of how You serve and love me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For lack of wood the fire goes out,and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases. As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife. The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.

Proverbs 25-29

For lack of wood the fire goes out,and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases. As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife. The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body. Proverbs 26:20-22

I continue my study of Proverbs week 9 from my study workbook, which focuses on Proverbs 25-29.  My focus for today is questions 9-12 from my workbook, which covers (1) the destructive effects of a sinful tongue, particularly gossip and lying (Proverbs 26:20,22, 24, 28, 18:8); (2) how boasting is folly (Proverbs 27:1-2, James 4:13-14); (3) how believers should flee from danger, particularly sexual immorality and idolatry (Proverbs 27:12, 22:3, 1 Corinthians 6:12-18, 10:1-14); and (4) how love of money leads to idolatry and takes one away from God towards destruction (Proverbs Proverbs 28:19-27, 1 Timothy 6:6-10).  For today, as we get closer to elections here in our country, I reflect on how gossip and lies tear communities apart - we definitely need more of Jesus!  I vote not for the donkey or elephant, but for the lamb! Believers should actually take this to heart because of more believers actually acted more like Jesus (including myself), we would definitely see God's kingdom grow and we would experience more love and unity.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God and You are love - You are slow to anger and abounding in love - this is despite my sin.  You love me and saved me while I was still sinning and an enemy/hostile to You...thank You Jesus!  What grace!  I am not deserving of such grace and love...nor my salvation.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Please provide wisdom and energy to Lisa and myself.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it.

James 4

Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. v11

With James being referred to as the "bossiest book of the Bible", it is not surprising that James packs his letter with many commands charging us with "do's" and "don'ts".  Here, we have James charging us to avoid slandering others.  Of course, we are to love and forgive others as God loves and forgives us, so this clearly includes judging and slandering others.

James is not the only one to charge us with avoiding judgement, slander, and gossip - check here for other books with a similar message.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves and forgives me - and there is no one else who can do what You do for me - You alone are God and I am grateful for what You have done and continue to do for me. Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such grace and compassion.  I slander and I gossip - please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense, but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.

Proverbs 11

Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense, but the one who has understanding holds their tongue. v12

God has helped me restrain myself when tempted to talk about others.  Yet I know I am guilty of this sin when I refer to nameless individuals that I read about in the news or on TV.  It's easy to to deride others when You are from afar.  Clearly I need God to help me be more pure in this area.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me - thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love.  I sin - I deride others.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister[d] or judges them speaks against the law and judges it.

James 4

Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. v11

We are told that we are to love others as Jesus loves us - and so this goes without saying - we are not to judge our brothers and sisters.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God full of love, mercy, compassion, etc. for me even though You know everything about me, including my sin.  You are so patient!  Thank You Jesus!  Please forgive me for me lack of action - You call me to action and many times I am not in action - please forgive me!  Help me turn from my sin and towards You.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa comfort and strength as she recovers from this surgery.  Praise God for the successful surgery yesterday - You are awesome God!  Please heal and cure Lisa (quickly!) of this cancer and its side effects from the medication.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me be in action. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.