BELOVED, FOLLOW NOT THAT WHICH IS EVIL

Ships need a compass to safely reach its destination. The ships in old times, took the help of stars in the night sky, to navigate safely to their destination. Just as the ships, we too, as Christians, need navigational tools to help us reach our destination. One of the tools of our navigation is found in 3 John 1:11.
– “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 1:11

The Amplified Bible version helps us to see the full scope and the depth of what apostle John is writing to the early Church, which naturally is, applicable to us too, this morning.
– “Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but [imitate] what is good. The one who practices good [exhibiting godly character, moral courage and personal integrity] is of God; the one who practices [or permits or tolerates] evil has not seen God [he has no personal experience with Him and does not know Him at all].” – 3 John 1:11 – Amplified Bible

What apostle John writes in the above verse is like a general rule, to navigate our Christian life. We are encouraged to follow/imitate that which is good. We are advised not to follow/imitate that which is evil. Good leads to blessings and a blessed life, unlike evil. They both cannot go together. God wants us to do that which is good, and not evil. He is eager and willing to help all who walk on good path.
– “11 Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil.” – 1 Peter 3:11-12

What apostle John writes about our following/imitating, goes much deeper than a mere navigational tool, for our Christian life. He says it very categorically that, he who does good belongs to God. Alternatively, he who does evil is not of God. This doing good indicates our relationship with God. This indicates our heart, and all its motives, desires and our direction. This doing good tells the whole world, what path are we walking upon.

John also clearly makes this distinction between good and evil, to help us understand that God is good, and Satan and all his world is evil. If we claim to be Christians, then, we ought to be following/imitating the LORD Jesus Christ, and not Satan, or any of his minions.

Let us earnestly seek the LORD that we would follow good; do good; and walk in good ways – the way of the LORD – the “Narrow Way.” For in walking on God ordained path, is life. Such a walk is to our benefit, and to our blessing. May we always faithfully and obediently walk with our LORD, in all what He asks of us. Even so, the LORD help us.