Imitating What Is Good
02/17/2025
“Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.”
– 3 John 1:11 (NIV)
John’s letter to Gaius is filled with encouragement and warnings. He commends Gaius for his faithfulness and generosity but also warns him about a man named Diotrephes, who is self-seeking and rejects godly authority. Against this backdrop, John gives a simple yet profound command: do not imitate what is evil but what is good.
Imitation is a natural part of life. Children imitate their parents, students their teachers, and employees their leaders. But John reminds us that not everything is worth imitating. The world is full of behaviors, attitudes, and influences that can lead us away from God’s heart. Gossip, selfish ambition, dishonesty, and pride are all around us, tempting us to conform.
But John calls us to a higher standard, one that reflects God’s goodness. Jesus is our perfect example of goodness. He walked in love, served with humility, and remained faithful to the Father. To imitate what is good means aligning our actions, words, and thoughts with Christ’s character.
John also makes a striking statement: “Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.” This does not mean that good works earn salvation but that a life characterized by goodness is evidence of a true relationship with God. When we walk in righteousness, kindness, and truth, we reflect God’s nature. Conversely, a life marked by persistent sin and selfishness reveals a lack of intimacy with Him.
So, what are you imitating today? Are your actions, speech, and mindset reflecting the goodness of God, or are they mirroring the brokenness of the world? Take a moment to examine your heart. Choose to follow Christ’s example, knowing that every step in goodness draws you closer to Him.
Here are a few things you can do today to help you in your pursuit of imitating Christ.
Reflect on who or what influences you the most. Are they leading you toward godliness or away from it?
Identify one area in your life where you need to be more intentional in imitating Christ.
Encourage someone today by modeling kindness, integrity, or selflessness.
Imitating Christ is not just about avoiding evil, it’s about actively pursuing what is good. Let your life reflect the goodness of God today.
Father, thank You for calling me to imitate what is good. Help me to fix my eyes on Jesus, who is the perfect example of righteousness and love. Guard my heart from imitating what is evil, and strengthen me to walk in Your truth. Let my life reflect Your goodness, so others may see You in me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
“Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.”
– 3 John 1:11 (NIV)
John’s letter to Gaius is filled with encouragement and warnings. He commends Gaius for his faithfulness and generosity but also warns him about a man named Diotrephes, who is self-seeking and rejects godly authority. Against this backdrop, John gives a simple yet profound command: do not imitate what is evil but what is good.
Imitation is a natural part of life. Children imitate their parents, students their teachers, and employees their leaders. But John reminds us that not everything is worth imitating. The world is full of behaviors, attitudes, and influences that can lead us away from God’s heart. Gossip, selfish ambition, dishonesty, and pride are all around us, tempting us to conform.
But John calls us to a higher standard, one that reflects God’s goodness. Jesus is our perfect example of goodness. He walked in love, served with humility, and remained faithful to the Father. To imitate what is good means aligning our actions, words, and thoughts with Christ’s character.
John also makes a striking statement: “Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.” This does not mean that good works earn salvation but that a life characterized by goodness is evidence of a true relationship with God. When we walk in righteousness, kindness, and truth, we reflect God’s nature. Conversely, a life marked by persistent sin and selfishness reveals a lack of intimacy with Him.
So, what are you imitating today? Are your actions, speech, and mindset reflecting the goodness of God, or are they mirroring the brokenness of the world? Take a moment to examine your heart. Choose to follow Christ’s example, knowing that every step in goodness draws you closer to Him.
Here are a few things you can do today to help you in your pursuit of imitating Christ.
Reflect on who or what influences you the most. Are they leading you toward godliness or away from it?
Identify one area in your life where you need to be more intentional in imitating Christ.
Encourage someone today by modeling kindness, integrity, or selflessness.
Imitating Christ is not just about avoiding evil, it’s about actively pursuing what is good. Let your life reflect the goodness of God today.
Father, thank You for calling me to imitate what is good. Help me to fix my eyes on Jesus, who is the perfect example of righteousness and love. Guard my heart from imitating what is evil, and strengthen me to walk in Your truth. Let my life reflect Your goodness, so others may see You in me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
Recent
Archive
2026
January
Embracing God’s New BeginningsRenewed, Not Worn DownThe Gift of Rest, Not a BurdenOne Thing I AskTransformed, Not ConformedArise and ShineFor His Glory in the OrdinaryChoosing Generosity Over ConvenienceAbide and Bear FruitDon’t Forget the BenefitsSetting an Example in Every SeasonLosing to LiveReady When He ComesThe Low Road That Leads to LifeWhere Your Heart Truly LivesThe God Who Sings Over YouRest That Goes Deeper Than SleepUnited in ChristHow Good and PleasantOvercome Evil with Active GoodThe Strong TowerActivated FaithNo Condemnation—Only FreedomThe Goodness Found in WaitingConfessing and RemainingUnder the Same SkyTeach Me to Walk in Your WillAnxious for NothingThere Is No Rock Like Our GodLiving the Word, Not Just Hearing ItStirred to Love
February
A Soul That Magnifies the LordStrong Where It Matters MostWalking Through the Darkest ValleyThe Golden WayA Word That Lifts the WeightRun With PurposeTraining for What LastsJoy That Grows Under PressureWhen Anxiety Multiplies, God SustainsRefined by the FireGrace That OverflowsStrength for Every SeasonUnashamed to Bear His NameDevoted to One AnotherThe Joy of a Righteous ChildWalking in LoveThe Glory That Fills the EarthFinish WellThe Pain That Produces PeaceOur Only AimThe Way, The Truth, The LifeStrength to Seek HimThe Whole Duty of ManTreasure Hidden in the FieldO Lord, You Are My GodDelight Yourself in the LordWalk in His StepsFriend Who Sticks Closer
2025
January
Embracing the New ThingBe TransformedPleasing God, Not PeopleThe Power of Repentance and BaptismThe Power of Forgiveness and LoveLiving in the LightSharing the Good NewsRecognizing and Worshiping the Son of ManStand Firm, Unmovable, AboundingThe Power of TogethernessResting in God’s RhythmThe Greatness of GodHeld by His HandLoving Beyond LimitsSowing RighteousnessThe Danger of Self-RelianceHeld by His HandProclaiming His Glory to AllHonoring One Another In LoveHidden TreasureTrusting God’s PlansThe Treasure of the KingdomStay Alert and Be PreparedGuarding Against GreedA House DividedYou Are the Light of the WorldEars to HearAll For The OneThe Beginning of WisdomUnashamed of the Gospel
No Comments