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 19:24-29). 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. 12:21).
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!
But perhaps you wonder, “Can such a thing be possible?” Remember this: “With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible” (Matt. 19:26). “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Gen. 18:14). “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Cor. 5:17).
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. 10:4). 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. 1:3). 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 12).
A. Scharf (adapted)