December 23

3 Joshua 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” ―3 John 1111Beloved, 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. (3 John 11).
THE epistles of John insist upon reality. Mere lip-profession that is not backed by love and righteousness cannot suit the Holy One with whom we have to do. God is good. Both words come from the same root. Those who are born of God will be characterized by goodness. He who takes the name of being Christ’s but who practices evil, is a stranger to God. Whatever his profession he has not seen Him. In this short letter the aged apostle denounces scathingly those who would make the Name of Christ to be dishonored by an apparent jealousy for the principles of church fellowship while acting unkindly and unrighteously toward others who came in the same blessed Name. We show how much we love the Lord by the way we treat our brethren.
“That I am so beloved of God,
Must form my manners on the road
I journey, till I meet Thy Son,
My Lord who all Thy love has shown;
Must separate from world and sin,
From every path that He’s not in;
Incite to toil, bring victory;
The only power. Thou lovest me!”