Three Loves: Take Your Choice

by Dick Mills | The Spirit Filled Believer

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world…” (1 John 2:15).

Demas, Diotrephes, and Demetrius each had a love, but each loved a different thing.

DEMAS: “Demas has forsaken me, and has departed for Thessalonica…” (2 Tim. 4:9-10 NKJ). Paul was facing trial in Rome. Realizing it was dangerous to be connected with one who was certain to be condemned by Nero, Demas forsook Paul.

His love of money and desire for self-preservation led Demas to abandon the hardships and dangers of the life of an apostle. In the next century, Chrysostom wrote of Demas: “He chose to live in luxury at home.” Demas loved the world.

DIOTREPHES: I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us (3 John 9 NKJ). Demas is gone, but Diotrephes is still in the Church. He is ambitious, aggressive, and self-assertive. He is a brother, but his primary motivation is not love of the brethren, but his ego-drive. Diotrephes loved the preeminence.

DEMETRIUS: Demetrius has a good testimony from all and from the truth itself… (3 John 12 NKJ). Some Bible scholars believe that this Demetrius was the silversmith in Acts 19:24 whose business was threatened by Paul’s preaching of the gospel. Upon his conversion, Demetrius had great credibility: 1) with the Christian community, 2) of the truth itself, and 3) with John. Demetrius loved the truth.

Three loves: the world, the preeminence, and the truth. Take your choice!

Source: The Spirit-Filled Believer’s Daily Devotional by Dick Mills

Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers

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Dick Mills was ordained at The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in 1949. He and his wife Betty traveled as evangelists all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Europe, and Australia. Dick and Betty are now home in heaven.

In 1966 Dick and Betty became a part of the then-emerging Charismatic Renewal. Passing through all denominational barriers, Dick has had the opportunity to speak in thousands of churches of varied backgrounds all over the world.

He ministered within several Christian organizations, including the Full Gospel Business Men, Women's Aglow, Inter-church Renewal Catholic Pentecostals, mainline Charismatic groups, CBN and TBN television networks, and many other independent Christian TV stations.

Dick appeared on numerous radio talk shows, written several magazine articles, and spoke at many Bible conferences and universities. He served as an adjunct professor at six Schools of the Bible and Seminaries.

In addition, Dick authored and co-authored several books and tapes. Dick's ministry was characterized by the unique gifts God has blessed him with. His services informed, enlightened, and motivated people to a higher level of commitment to God.

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