Sometimes we come in contact with people so incorrigible or situations so difficult, it seems as though all is against us. This was no doubt the case for the Christians at Ephesus in Acts 19. Demetrius, a silversmith, crafted images of the idol goddess Diana. He instigated a riot that brought the entire city into confusion (Acts 19:24-2924For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen; 25Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. 26Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: 27So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth. 28And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. 29And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre. (Acts 19:24‑29)). Why would the Lord allow such a terrible thing to happen when Paul was trying to bring the good news of salvation to that heathen city? Yet, in the end, good, rather than being overcome of evil, overcame evil (Rom. 12:2121Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:21)).
Though we cannot say positively that Demetrius is the same person, it’s remarkable to read what the Apostle says in 3 John. “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.”
If it were the same Demetrius, no doubt Gaius would have had some rather unhappy memories of his time in Ephesus, and of Demetrius in particular. But John, knowing firsthand of the change in Demetrius, tells Gaius that this former opponent has a good record of all men and of the truth itself! What a wonderful change God, by His Spirit, had worked. How it must have delighted Gaius!
Perhaps you’ve experienced a difficult situation—there may be one who delights to make things difficult for you. Have you thought that the Lord may want you to reach out in love to that very person, using the light of His Word that the Lord is working to effect a wonderful change, just as with Demetrius!
Even if the person standing against you is a fellow-believer, the same applies! “The weapons of our warfare [including the Word of God] are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds” (2 Cor. 10:44(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) (2 Corinthians 10:4)). Though Satan may even use real believers to create difficulties within the body of Christ, His Word is ever victorious and so too will we be in the measure we embrace its truth.
Maybe there have been failures in your life. It is not too late for the Lord to work in blessing! He is the “Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort” (2 Cor. 1:33Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; (2 Corinthians 1:3)). There is forgiveness with Him.
May we all seek to live in such a way that the commendation of the new Demetrius might also be used to describe us. “Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself” (3 John 1212Demetrius 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 12)).
A. Scharf (adapted)