III John 1:9, Don't be Last

April 21, 2016

Don't Be Last

III John 1:9... I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will have nothing to do with us...

There is an old child's song that used to be sung at Christmas and other times, it goes like this... J O Y, J O Y this must surely mean, Jesus first, Yourself last, and Others in between... sung twice. This song has been rejected by many, but its basis is scriptural. Jesus said that the first shall be last and the last shall be first. Don't be last by desiring to be first.

We have all seen people who are a bit narcissistic. They promote themselves ahead of all others. Their families and things they do are the best, no others can compare. They puff themselves up and take command causing others to be lowered to servitude or obscurity. We must be different. We serve to lift others up, seeking their good and in doing so lift the name of Jesus.

K and A, serve others. Do not seek glory for yourself and step on others on your way to the top. When you lift others, you are lifted as well. If you don't want to be last, don't seek to be first. I know this is different than what the world says... so many aspects of life are. Living for Jesus is different. Help others and you will be like Christ. It is who we are, who you want to be.

~Dad