What does "anyone who does good is from God" mean for believers? The Immediate Context: Light from 3 John 1:11 • “Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.” • John is writing to Gaius, contrasting the self-serving Diotrephes with those who walk in truth. The verse places “doing good” alongside “imitating” God’s character and sets it as a clear marker of genuine fellowship with Him. What “From God” Signifies • Origin: A person whose life is characterized by good works shows a birth “out of” God (John 1:12-13). • Relationship: Being “from God” speaks of ongoing communion (1 John 2:5-6). Goodness flows from abiding in Him. • Representation: Such a believer mirrors the Father’s nature to the watching world (Matthew 5:16). Good Works as Evidence, Not Entry Ticket • Salvation is “by grace… through faith… not of works” (Ephesians 2:8-9). • Yet, verse 10 immediately adds, “we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works.” Works reveal what grace has already accomplished. • Jesus’ tree-and-fruit analogy underscores the point: healthy root, healthy fruit (Matthew 7:17-20). How the New Birth Produces Good • New heart and Spirit: Ezekiel 36:26-27 promises a heart that delights to obey. • Love poured out: Romans 5:5—divine love motivates practical acts of good. • Union with Christ: “Apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Abiding yields fruit that lasts. • Warfare won: The believer “does not keep on sinning” (1 John 3:9); instead, righteousness increasingly marks his pattern. Practical Expressions of “Doing Good” • Hospitable generosity, as Gaius displayed (3 John 1:5-8). • Tangible care for the needy (James 1:27; Galatians 6:10). • Truth-telling and integrity (Ephesians 4:25; Proverbs 12:22). • Peacemaking rather than strife (Romans 12:18). • Faithful use of gifts in the local church (1 Peter 4:10-11). Guardrails Against Misunderstanding • Good deeds cannot purchase sonship; they prove it. • Occasional failure does not nullify being “from God”; habitual, unrepentant evil does (1 John 3:10). • God defines “good,” not cultural trends (Micah 6:8; Isaiah 5:20). • Motivation matters: works done “to be seen” lose reward (Matthew 6:1-4). Encouragement for Perseverance in Doing Good • The Spirit empowers: “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest” (Galatians 6:9). • Future commendation: “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21). • Present assurance: active goodness deepens confidence that we truly “know Him who is from the beginning” (1 John 2:13). |
    |