I enjoy a good Bible discussion with people, and when I meet someone in the ministry who has a degree of knowledge about the Scriptures, I find that both challenging and upbuilding. The same is true over at the Debate board. There may be some who want to argue and not use reason, but there are some who do offer a challenge, and cause me to have to do further research, and that also builds up my faith, and sharpens my skills.

But sometimes it good to relax, and talk with those who share my faith without having to prove every statement I make. That is one reason I am looking forward to attending the District Convention, which for me is the first weekend in August. It is also one thing that makes attending the meetings at the Kingdom Hall so refreshing.

That also seems to be the purpose of this particular board, “Jehovah’s Witnesses Community,” that Jehovah’s Witnesses who do not necessarily know each other personally can come here and have relaxing fellowship with one another, sharing the beliefs and faith which we have in common. (Although I really do not mind if visitors come here seeking answers to their questions in a non argumentative discussion. The Welcome Board seems to be basically dead in this respect.)

Sometimes though I feel as I imagine the apostle John must have felt when he wrote the letter of Third John. Maybe one has had a hard day at work, or perhaps has been in the ministry and run into someone who is nothing if they are not contentious, and so is looking forward to the refreshing spiritual food and fellowship at the meeting that night. Then first thing they know, some brother or sister comes up and starts complaining about some decision the elders may have made, or perhaps even complaining about something that has come down from the Governing Body.

John wrote in 3 John 9 & 10: “I wrote something to the congregation, but Diotrephes, who likes to have the first place among them, does not receive anything from us with respect. That is why, if I come, I will call to remembrance his works which he goes on doing, chattering about us with wicked words. Also, not being content with these things, neither does he himself receive the brothers with respect, and those who are wanting to receive them he tries to hinder and to throw out of the congregation.”

How can one relax and enjoy spiritual fellowship when there are those like that around. The example of Demetrius is a much better one to follow, as John continues in verses 11 &12: “Beloved one, be an imitator, not of what is bad, but of what is good. He that does good originates with God. He that does bad has not seen God. Demetrius has had witness borne to him by them all and by the truth itself. In fact, we, also, are bearing witness, and you know that the witness we give is true.”

Those today that have no respect for the elder arrangement or for the faithful & discreet slave and its representatives are like Diotrephes. People like that become those of whom John wrote in 1 John 2:19 — “They went out from us, but they were not of our sort; for if they had been of our sort, they would have remained with us. But they went out that it might be shown up that not all are of our sort.”

Thankfully, at least in my congregation, such is rare, but obviously it happens or John would not have written of it. Of course, with the anonymity of the internet, there are some who portray themselves as faithful witness of Jehovah in the Congregation, but online they show their true colors. They can hide from the elders, but eventually they will slip up and the truth will come out. But even if not, Jehovah knows, and if action is not or cannot be taken sooner, it will be taken when the New World of righteousness becomes a reality.

I want to personally follow the steps Jesus outlined for us, and although of course I cannot do so perfectly, I can imitate the example of imperfect faithful humans such as Demetrius. It is my prayer that I always do so.