“Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.”

He who does good is of God,

The idea here is not whether this person is a Christian but that he is a godly Christian.  Doing “good” is doing something that profits other people, to be of help, to benefit.  Diotrephes was not very helpful. 

1 Pe 2:14, “…or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good.”

The words “of God” indicate source.  The source of actions can be found in God (1 Jn 3:6, 3:10, 4:7, and 4:20). 

but he who does evil has not seen God

Evil does not find its source in God (1 Jn 3:6).  Good and evil are always products of something.  Diotrephes’ conduct did not come from God.  To imitate pernicious evil puts one out of phase with God. 

PRINCIPLE: 

Christians should be careful about the source of what they do. 

APPLICATION: 

There is a “good” and “evil” in the issue of power lust within the church.  All too often, people within the church today mimic power lust in carnal people.  Others go along with these tinhorn dictators to keep the peace.  These are people with jelly for a backbone. 

The issue is this – is Christ increasing, and am I decreasing.  Any other attitude than that in the local church causes havoc and chaos within the body of Christ.