There are some really difficult teachings in the Bible but none are harder than this:

(2 John 9) “Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.  If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.”

Heavens! This tiny chunk of scripture would have a catastrophic impact on our evangelistic efforts if we followed it. So, for the sake of reaching the lost, we skip over it and move on to 3rd John.

(3 John 9) “I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church. Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.”

Okay, Beloved, let me ask a question. How do you think John would respond if he found out that Diotrephes was doing a lecture series at your church? You thought that, as someone who once knew the truth and had fallen away, his perspective would be of value. This worker of wickedness would have insights that could benefit the saints.

Do you think ANY of the New Testament writers would approve of bringing Diotrephes in as a guest on your podcast?

“John, you jerk!!! We are commanded to show love!!! We must love!!!! Love wins!!! You are hateful!!! Be loving!!!”

I’ll take that as a, “No.” Like I said, the Bible has some really hard teaching. The hardest directly contradict your fleshly urge to be ‘winsome.’

It’s worth noting that both 1st and 2nd John are written to ‘whom I love in truth.’ So…who told you that kicking false teachers out of your house is unloving? Let me guess.