"I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence (put himself first) among them, receiveth us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating (talking idly) against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church" (3 John 9-10).
True Christianity is absolutely counter cultural. We live in a world where people believe that you have to do whatever you have to do to get to the top even if that means stepping on people to get there. In the Apostle John's day Diotrephes was such a man. He so desire to be first, to be the man that calls the shots that he resorted to speaking evil of others to promote himself. Jesus said, "If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all" (Mark 9:35).
The desire of every Christian should not be to have the preeminence over the lives of others but that Jesus might have the preeminence in their lives. Peter wrote, "Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble" (1 Pet.5:5). If your desire is to be first, to be served, and to be praise you will not know the grace of God at work in and through your life. Instead you will be opposed by God rather than being blessed by God. James wrote, "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up" (James 4:10). Focus on being humble and let God be the one to promote you.
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