The Surprising Enemy of Mission

The “Me Safe” Guy

Let’s tease out another implication here. Not only did Diotrephes exalt himself, he isolated himself. He pulled himself back from the mission. Selfishness will oppose mission through isolation. Maybe we do this because we are seeking comfort and don’t want to be laughed at, rejected or whatever. Maybe we are doing this because we don’t want to live for something bigger than ourselves. If we pursue the idol of comfort, then we will never promote the mission of God.

If you are a Christian and are not engaged in mission, I can confidently say you are being selfish. You may be like Diotrephes in exalting yourself (You’re so vain, you probably think this gospel is about you … ) or in isolating yourself. Either way, you need to see that selfishness has always been the enemy of mission. It is selfishness that the gospel comes to arrest and transform. After all, how can Christians go out and proclaim a message to fall out of love with yourself while being in love with themselves?

Grace Brings Encouragement

Thankfully, that same gospel continues to unfasten our grip upon the mirror and refocus our eyes upon Christ. Where there is a true love for God, there will be a true love for God’s word, God’s people and God’s mission. Look at Gaius and Demetrius.