5 Smooth Stones

“We therefore are to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for

the truth.”

The Greek word translated as fellow workers here is the word sunergos, which is also translated fellow helpers, fellow laborers or work fellows in other scriptures. I believe John is implicitly saying to us that raising up laborers for the harvest is a key to overcoming this spirit of Diotrephes in the church. Diotrephes is not interested in raising up laborers, receiving the brethren sent to him, or discipling fellow workers for the harvest or even the truth. This spirit wants total control and preeminence. This is the opposite spirit of that working in the fi ve ministrie ns sent from the Lord Jesus listed in Ephesians 4 which are for the purpose of - 12 “for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;” I think it is apparent that when dealing with this spirit in the church that our defense is to stay in faith, stay, do not imitate his evil, continue to fellowship with like-minded brethren, and continue to raise up laborers for the harvest. Don’t allow this spirit to sidetrack you from doing the work of your Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ. In verse 6 John encouraged Gaius to send the brethren that he was discipling forward in the manner in which Jesus also had sent the disciples out in Luke 10. It is an important point that Diotrephes would not receive those sent to him in the name of the Lord. This is one of the reasons we do not see more of the literal manifesting of Christ in the church today. Jesus said - “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” (John 14:18) and, “For I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’” Ma tt hew 23:39

Jesus told us that He would come to those who follow Him.

While the church is often preoccupied with His ultimate return they have missed His coming. This is not His will, but certainly is a work of Satan to hinder the Lord from appearing to His church and manifesting Himself. The spirit of Diotrephes has robbed the church of too much of this blessing.

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